Ethical dilemma: conjoined twin separation

One of the conjoined twins, Hope sadly died today after being separated from her twin, Faith. 

A view supported by some religious groups, is that they shouldn't have been separated at all and somebody asked me the question today, "Is the surgeon a murderer?" 

I said that I could not put it as strongly as that, but in actual fact, I don't think he is one at all!

Having 20 people to operate on the twins through out the night in order to give them a chance in life gives me a complete opposite view.

As far as I am aware, the twins were separated without too much debate. Although the operation was risky, being joint at the abdomen placed face to face, any quality of life would be greatly reduced otherwise. 

What I do think was controversial however, is that the couple to have the twins were advised to have them aborted beforehand.

Faith, who is at the moment in intensive care and stable could survive the trauma. A termination would have prevented any chance of survival for both. However it is a battle, which could end in devastation. It is really a matter of how willing one is to go through with the fight.

Jodie and Mary

In November 2000,  siamese twins Jodie and Mary were separated against their Roman Catholic parents wishes. The operation followed one of the biggest debates in medical ethical history. 

By separation, this would give one twin a chance of survival, where as not separating them would have meant neither would have been able to survive.

Laden and Laleh

In July 2003, Iranian siamese twin Ladan and Laleh Bijani were nearly 30 when they decided to go ahead with separation. Their heads were joint and shared some major vessels. 

Despite having coped with their attachment for so many years, having law degrees and knowing the large risk of an operation they agreed to separate because of their different career path ambitions.

Tragically neither survived the operation. Their strong desire for separation, despite knowing possible consequences suggests that being conjoined causes serious problems in life quality.

Their have been many advances in surgery and survival rates have increased over the years. We can only pray that this will mean Faith a chance in life.