1. By: Lexis Christianson and Samantha Hellman
Conjoined Twins
By: Lexis Christianson and Samantha Hellman

2. Pre-natal/Post-natal
Born physically connected
1/250,000 live births
Develop in utero
Early embryo only separates partially
Share organs
Can be diagnosed early via ultrasound
Termination possible: weeks
Delivery
Many stillborn
⅓ die shortly after birth
Not all surviving can be separated

3. Separation Issues Ethical problems Survival of one or none
Attachment location
Ownership of organs
Justification of removal from donor to recipient
Medically hard procedure
Low survival rate
Extensive reconstruction surgery (if chosen)

4. Separation Issues Social Problems Story Who decides what’s right
Parents, medical experts, legal courts
Twins
Parents reactions/feelings
Family members/friends reactions
Costly procedure
Longer: 20 hours
Large team
Story

5. Conjoined Life Can lead good lives Social issues Separation decision
Have each other
Social issues
Social exclusion
Physical deformity
Physical limitations
Problematic romantic relationships
Sex
Incestuous, polygamy, etc.
Marriage: 2 or 1 partners
F-childbearing
Separation decision
Many unknowns

6. Abby and Brittany https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K57IcN9DWXo
Different likes/dislikes, clothes, food
Personal seamstress who makes 2 separate collars for shirts
Treated like two different people mostly
Drivers License
2 tests for written and driving
Present day: teachers
2 teaching licenses & 1 salary

7. Post Separation Life Loss of partner/twins Do not wish separation
Often loss of a twin
Do not wish separation
In later years
Conform to stereotypes
Perceived as normal

8. Video of separated twins
4 sets of conjoined twins
Mostly females
Example of separated conjoined twins

9. Sources
Chen, Chih-Ping, et al. “Conjoined Twins Detected in the First Trimester: A Review.”Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, vol. 50, no. 11, Dec. 2011, pp. 424–431., doi:
“Conjoined Twins.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 7 Mar. 2018,
Lipsky, Katherine. “Conjoined Twins: Psychosocial Aspects.” AORN Journal, vol. 35, Jan. 1982, pp. 58–61., aornjournal.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/ /S %2807% Savulescu, Julian, and Ingmar Persson.
“Conjoined Twins: Philosophical Problems and Ethical Challenges.” The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy, Oxford University Press, 14 Dec. 2015,