I saw a program on parasitic twins. It was really disturbing stuff. In one case, a boy had inside himself his own twin feeding off his organs through a placenta. This parasite had no brain or heart. When they operated on him to remove it (and he was, like, 7 or 8 years old by then), it was a grotesque ball with humanoid features -- hair on the top, an eye below a skin flap, stubs for legs, even a tiny rudimentary penis. I had no idea that such a thing could happen -- a boy being born pregnant with his own twin which could only be described as monstrous. I wouldn't want such a thing in me. It was life-threatening, causing the heart to work harder to support the parasite, and the parasite had no brain or heart of its own. I guess this case is a little different, in that the parasite is a head containing a brain, but still....
Baby's "second head" removed -- no moral issues described?
by AlmostAtheist 19 Replies latest jw friends
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TresHappy
When I read about this on cnn, but heart skipped a beat. In last year's case, this baby's "twin" was less developed and little Rebeca died anyway. There are no easy answers. I hope this little one makes it. Here's Baby Rebeca, who passed away about a year ago. I posted a photo w/o showing the second head...
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Valis
whoa! that is hella scary..
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BrendaCloutier
For me it is an easy answer. What would the twins grow up to be like? Would "they" be able to marry? Have their own children? Independently? Maybe. Would they grow up to be a parasite on society, or at least on their family? Probably. Would they grow up to be happy? Probably badly abused and criticized. Is that happy? Not in my book. Quality of life is far more important to me than "moral" issues, and quantity of life on life-support or society support.
If I were the mother, yes, I would have a difficult time with the decision. But I've seen too many parasitic humans be a burdon on families and society.
And, as an Oregonian, I believe in dignity in the right to die.
*putting away soapbox*
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Siddhashunyata
There is no way to reconcile such things with the existence of an omnipotant ( not to mention loving) God.
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MungoBaobab
If the second twin had HER own brain, and SHE would grow to develop a personality independent of HER sister, then I say what was done was murder. However, if the anomaly in question was merely a second FACE (not a second head), then the right decision was made.
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Jez
As a parent, I would have had a hard time looking at this under-developed conjoined twin as a "parasite".
Dave, the article never said that the parents looked at this twin as a "parasite". One cannot imagine the horror of having to make such a decision. The article respectfully refrained from mentioning their private turmoil.
I can't imagine though why the parents would allow a newspaper to show such a picture. If it was me, I would want my 2 children's ordeal to be as private as possible.
Jez
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FlyingHighNow
I guess my question here is: did the twin have intelligence and personality? Could the baby think? I know that babies who are normal can think. I have memories of being a baby and some here at JWD have told me that they have memories of babyhood. Did the doctors remove a non-thinking "parasite"? Or did these doctors remove a person with thoughts and emotions? The article doesn't say. If the answer is yes, then the moral dilemma is more profound.
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AlmostAtheist
Dave, the article never said that the parents looked at this twin as a "parasite". One cannot imagine the horror of having to make such a decision. The article respectfully refrained from mentioning their private turmoil.
I completely agree with you, Jez. I never thought about the idea that the moral/ethical issues were not raised for the purpose of shielding the parents from questions/accusations. Good point.
You guys are all so smart! I'm glad I found you!
Dave
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FlyingHighNow
You guys are all so smart! I'm glad I found you!
Dave
Well, we are all glad you did, too.