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Separation of Craniopagus Twins

A Clinical, Legal, and Ethical Conundrum

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2016

REUBEN JOHNSON  and
PHILIP WEIR
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Abstract:

Separation of craniopagus twins is fraught by ethical issues. The surgery is high risk and may involve the sacrifice of one twin. We review surgical successes in separation of craniopagus twins and consider ethical and legal concepts affecting the decision to undertake such procedures. Our discussion considers how Gillett’s potentiality principle and the concept of moral permissibility may be used to arrive at fair and realistic decisions.

Keywords

craniopagusneurosurgeryethicsconfidentialityautonomypotentialitysacrificemorality
Type
Special Section: The Best Interests of a Child: Problematic Neuroethical Decisions
Information
Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics , Volume 25 , Issue 1 , January 2016 , pp. 38 - 49
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2016 

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References

Notes

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