Conjoined Twins: An Historical, Biological and Ethical Issues Encyclopedia

By Christine Quigley

Book Overview

When two human ova fail to fully separate during pregnancy, the result is conjoined twins. The twins may be connected by ligament, bone, or just flesh, and they often share organs, but what captures most people's interest is whether the twins share sensations, thoughts and even souls.

This encyclopedia presents entries on conjoined twins throughout history, the biological causes and effects of twins being born conjoined, and ethical issues such as self-support and separation surgery. It also includes entries on the modern standardized terminology used when discussing conjoined twins, the categories into which conjoined twins have been sorted, doctors past and present who have performed separation surgeries, and hospitals, such as Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, that are known for the separation of conjoined twins.

This book even covers fraudulent conjoined twins and fictional ones in books written by such authors as Mark Twain, Vladimir Nabakov, and Katherine Dunn. Other entries cover relevant films, websites, and institutions.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 078642852X
• ISBN13: 9780786428526
• Release Date: August 2006
• Publisher: McFarland & Company
• Length: 206 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 7.0" x 10.1"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

An intriguing, unusual survey of conjoined twins

Conjoined Twins by Christine Quigley blends history with a biological coverage and discussion of the ethical issues involved in the circumstances of Siamese twins. Conjoined Twins provides an alphabetic dictionary of the names of these conjoined twins and along with charting the area of conjunction, denotes the decisions made by parents and medical staff on treatment or childrearing, and the outcome of their lives. An intriguing, unusual survey of conjoined twins as well as groups devoted to their cause.