A Question for Dartagnan

[_John Larsen]

An unfortunate but rare malady is the case of the parasitic twin which is an extreme case of conjoined twins. In this awful condition, one twin becomes dominant and the other twin will survive in a malformed condition inside the host twin. Normally fatal in the womb, rarely the dominant twin can survive after birth such as in this case:
http://news.softpedia.com/news/The-Man- ... 1772.shtml

The question for Dartagnan and all others against any form of abortion: since the parasitic is a form of human life, is it a sin to remove this Vestigial twin? Would God be displeased?







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[_bcspace]

The parasitic twin is anencephalic (without a brain) and lacks many internal organs, being unable to survive on its own.

Sounds like the answer would be easy.

[_silentkid]

The parasitic twin is anencephalic (without a brain) and lacks many internal organs, being unable to survive on its own.

Sounds like the answer would be easy.

Not sure if I'm reading you correctly here, BC. Are you quoting the above to demonstrate that organisms that lack a brain, some internal organs, and exhibit parasitic behavior are or are not "living"? I don't want to piss off any nematodes here. ;)

[_The Dude]

Hi John,

As BC acknowledges, we don't yet have the technology to keep the parasitic twin alive on it's own, but I still agree with you that it would be a unique human life with the same number of chromosomes as you and me. Perhaps we shouldn't throw it away without a bit more pondering.

It could be kept alive by simply leaving the twins attached. As long as they aren't in danger of killing each other. If health is an issue, the sick twin should be treated to the best of modern medical ability. If it looks like one twin is going to kill the other, then there should be a trial and justice would then be done. To not go at least this far would clearly be a grave disrespect to human life. But we could go farther.

We are close to having the technology to save the parasitic twins even if it consists of only a few cells. With one of several viable cell cloning procedures the parasitic twin's cells could be turned into healthy embryonic stem cells. Second, the cells could be made into an embryo and inserted in the womb of a surrogate mother. In this way we could ultimately save in and give it a way to physically grow up as an individual (instead of a parasite) as would you and I.

So once again, John, I think you are making a good point and dartagnan and BC should really consider what is at stake in these situations.

[_harmony]

So once again, John, I think you are making a good point and dartagnan and BC should really consider what is at stake in these situations.

You're getting really good at this sarcastic stuff. Are you taking lessons from Daniel, or is this a latent talent just now showing itself?

[_The Dude]

Yeah, I was totally sarcastic with the part about having a trial if a parasitic twin was trying to kill it's host. The parasitic twin would likely be ruled unfit to stand trial. However, the rest of my post wasn't necessarily a joke.

[_GoodK]

It could be kept alive by simply leaving the twins attached.

This reminds me of a Nip / Tuck episode. Same situation. One of the twins died, and then the other.

Ya, I know. Not the manliest thing I've ever said. I like the show. So shoot me.

But John, if you really want dartagnan's opinion on this you should weave Sarah Palin into the question.

[Guest]

But John, if you really want dartagnan's opinion on this you should weave Sarah Palin into the question.

...so, if Sarah Palin had a parisitic twin growing inside of her, stealing her nutrients, sapping her immune system...

This would make for a pretty cool movie, GoodK. Get on the screenplay stat.

[_silentkid]

If it looks like one twin is going to kill the other, then there should be a trial and justice would then be done. To not go at least this far would clearly be a grave disrespect to human life.

LMAO. Dude, you are a genius.

[_bcspace]

As BC acknowledges, we don't yet have the technology to keep the parasitic twin alive on it's own

Any acknowledgement comes from the article itself (which I quoted) and it doesn't appear to be what you think or sarcastically think it is.