Is It Ethically Permissible to Separate Conjoined Twins? Murder, Mutilation, and Consent

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

2017

Abstract

This chapter looks at the ethics of separating conjoined twins by first establishing the individual dignity of each twin in light of both philosophical reasoning and how the Church has addressed such cases throughout its history—e.g., each twin being baptized separately. The essay goes on to then analyzes the moral permissibility of separating Jodie and Mary in light of the intentionality involved. The chapter concludes that, since there is no course of action that could benefit both twins, and only one of them is harmed while the other is benefitted, it is permissible to separate the two for the intended end of benefitting Jodie, while tolerating the foreseen side-effect that Mary will die as her separated body will be unable to sustain itself. However, that it would have been improper for Jodie and Mary’s parents to have consented to the separation since they should be equally concerned about the survival and welfare of both children. The fact that it was a judge’s order that ultimately determined the twins’ respective fates was more ethically appropriate.

Original Publication Citation

Kaczor, C. (2017). Is It Ethically Permissible to Separate Conjoined Twins? Murder, Mutilation, and Consent. In J. T. Eberl (Ed.), Contemporary Controversies in Catholic Bioethics (pp. 123–133). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-55766-3_10

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