The Ethics of Conjoined Twin Separation
Conjoined twins are a rare phenomenon. In the even that a set should appear where one twin is dependant upon the other, I believe that they should be separated, at minimum, to save the life of one. At the same time, I believe that every set of conjoined twins is its own special case. In this study, I will present the background information on conjoined twinning, give a few case studies, and give the pros and cons of conjoined twin separation. I will end with my own views on the subject.
How do these mutations arise? A.A. Zimmerman hypothesizes that, “[Conjoined twins arise from] an error in blastogenesis due to incomplete fission of a single zygote, resulting in the development of two centers of axial growth instead of one” (Juretschke, 9). Within the first two weeks of embryo development, there is an error in the embryonic development of the blastocyst, composed of about 100 cells. The single, fertilized egg fails to separate properly, as it would to form identical twins (a fertilized egg divides completely during the initial stages of cell differentiation). This failure of division results in two identical, same sex twins, conjoined in some manner. No one is clear on why the cell fails to divide completely.
Statistically, the chances of failed egg division resulting in conjoined twins is about one in 250,000, as compared to the one in 200 chance of giving birth to identical twins. Of those conjoined, 40-60% are stillborn, and 35% of those twins that survive birth die within the first 24 hours. Of those one in 250,000 births, there is a 5-25% chance of existing in the world for more than a day. Interestingly, about 70% of those who beat the odds were female, and t...
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Veenker, Jody. "One Conjoined Twin Dies After Surgical Separation." Christianity Today. http://www.chrisianitytoday.com/ct/2000/145/430.html updated Nov. 6, 2000.
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http://www7.cnn.com/2000/WORLD/europe.UK/11/03/twins.court/index.html. updated: Nov.3, 2000.
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http://www7.cnn.com/2000/WORLD/europe/UK/11/06/twins.conjoined/. updated: Nov. 7, 2000.
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2- There will also be improvement of a newly reconstructed family structure. Since the structure has been split in half for so long, one girl with the father and the other girl with the mother, the twins will need to learn how to have a sibling, and how to have both parents to parent
Britain is currently undergoing the biggest overhaul of the welfare system since its introduction. The welfare system was first established with the assurance that people less fortunate would be able to have a standard of living that would ensure equality. But the recent amendments brought into place by the current government’s legislations may see the biggest divide between rich and poor since the days of the work houses. How will claimants be affected and who will be affected the most is an issue that will be examined more closely. The current government believes that Britain has become a welfare dependant state and according to BBC news (2013) 2.49 million are currently unemployed; those who are unemployed will also have entitlement to housing benefit and council tax benefit. All claimants will be affected by what will be known as Universal Credits. Universal credits will combine all existing benefits in to one payment; the amount a household can claim in welfare will be capped, this new system could have a catastrophic impact on people’s lives. Furthermore the government does not believe that a person should have full housing benefit if the home in which they reside has extra bedrooms, so introduction of the Bedroom Tax was implemented April 2013. The National Housing Federation website has given a detailed description of who will be affected and the implications it may have on tenants. But already only three months in to the bedroom tax and it has been reported “more than fifty thousand people have fallen behind on their rent and face eviction” Independent (2013). This report is going to concentrate on the affects the aptly named Bedroom Tax is having on people’s ...
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In telophase, these separate chromatids uncoil to become chromosomes. This division produces two identical cells.
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