Conjoined Twins Are They Freaks Of Nature

Conjoined Twins Are They Freaks of Nature

Each of us are unique, each of us are one individual even when nature does not take shape and form like we expect it to. Conjoined Twins as the world know as Siamese Twins have fascinated people for many centuries. However, questions were raised about such abnormalities of the twins. People (parents, researchers, and doctors) wanted to know when they were first discovered as well as if conjoined twins were a manifestation of man or a genetic condition. Parents also wanted to know if this rare set of twins could live, and if one dies does the other proceed in his or her death. Parents then wanted to know if it was possible for the twins to conceive children. After knowing if the twins could conceive children the parents raised questions on the twinning process like: how does it begin; when does it start, and what causes this specific twinning. By researching doctors, nurses, and parents all questions will be answered as well as the scrutiny of the twins life will be explained. Are they freaks it will be determined?

Conjoined twins have been around for many centuries but, some people still do not know and understand what they are. Conjoined twins are identical twins that or connected at the body and share an organ(s). Anderson (2001-2006) stated that there are two theories on how the twins are formed. The most accepted is the “fission theory” and is explained to be when a fertilized ovum (egg) begins to split into an identical twin but, somehow gets interrupted during the process and develops into two incomplete individuals joined together (Anderson, 2001-2006). According to this theory twins become joined when the egg of the identical twins originally splits into two (Anderson, 2001-2006). While the two lay side-by-side in the uterine walls the twins become fused together (Anderson, 2001-2006). At an early stage human embryo consists of three layers, what these cells do is “seek out” same type and therefore bond together new organs (Anderson, 2001-2006). The twinning normally starts after the 12th day when the fertilized egg fails to separate (Kamal, 1996-2006). Nevertheless, when twins are lying close together in the uterine the cells become confused and fuse together with cells of the same type but, they belong to the other twin (Anderson, 2001-2006). After knowing how the twins were formed, parents wanted to know what countries and states conjoined twins were normally found in.

Conjoined twins (twins) are normally born to a mother in countries like Africa and India than to a mother in China or The United States of America. However, there have been other countries and states that the twins have been located in like: Mary and Eliza Chulkhurst (born in 1100), Kent, England; Eng and Chang Bunker (born in 1824) Siam, Thailand; Abigail and Brittany Hensel (born in 1990) Mayer, Minnesota; Krista and Tatiana Hogan (born in 2006) Vancouver, Canada, and many more. Cbc.ca (2007) states “the twins are rare in Canada and are born once in every 200,000 births (Ð'¶ 12).” After finding out how conjoined twins were formed parents wanted to know could the twins ever be joined indifferently and be different genders as well as triplets and quadruplets.

As it was noted conjoined twins are and will always be of the same sex. Why? Because they share the same DNA, amniotic cavity, and placenta therefore are considered to be conjoined identical twins. The twins are not like other identical twins in which they can be male or female twins but are normally male, male twins or female, female identical twins. The reason for this is because normal identical twins actually have there own DNA, amniotic cavity and placenta as conjoined twins do not. Secondly, many people wanted to know if the twins could be joined ear to head; buttocks to leg or even arm to back. But this is not the case.

Next, it was questioned can the twins be triplets and quadruplets? There have been researchers that have “no” recognition of conjoined triplets or quadruplets. As well as doctors and researcher that has knowledge of such theory. It was said by Goldberg, Y., Ben-Shlomo, I. Weiner E. and ShalevThere, E. (2000) “that there has been a case of conjoined triplets which is a rare case however, the parents chose to terminate the pregnancy.” This set of twinning was discovered by a Transvaginal Sonogram, the mother was eight weeks gestation (pregnant). However, Spencer (2003) beg the differ and stated “that there has been an unusual case of “stillborn” conjoined triplets and quadruplets. Thirdly, the different types of twins were discussed and explained.

There are about a dozen types of conjoined twins which will be named and explained how they are attached as well as pictures to give a better perspective within this text. They look alike but are joined in many different ways; some ways too horrifying to look at, others not as bad but so appalling to make one feel so emotional. This will help people better understand why one twin depends on the other and if he or she can be separated successfully and live.

Acardiac twins вЂ" means “without a heart” and also an incomplete fetus that have a pair of legs that shares the womb with a normal twin and is sustained by the twin’s placenta (Anderson, 2001-2006). See Figure 1

Cephalopagus вЂ" Anderson (2001-2006) states “twins with conjoined necks and heads but separate bodies due to malformations in the brain are never viable. Those that are not stillborn die within a few hours (Ð'¶ 17). See Figure 2

Cephalothoracopagus вЂ" are a combination of Cephalopagus and Thoracopagus; with joined hearts, necks, and chests but, separate arms and legs. They usually share a heart and brain as well as being non-viable (Anderson, 2001-2007). See Figure 3

Craniopagus вЂ" Anderson (2001-2007) states that the twins are “joined at the skull (portion) particularly with separate necks and bodies. Separation would be dangerous since they share parts of the brain and blood system. This set of twins can be joined by four different ways of the head and brain (vertical, occipital, frontal and parietal).” See Figure 4

Dicephalus вЂ" share a body from the neck or upper chest downward; having only two-legs and one set of reproductive organs, can have two-four arms. These twins have a good chance of living a healthy live if hearts or separate and not separated from one another (Anderson, 2001-2007). See Figure 5

Ischiopagus