Ethical Reflections on the Separation of Conjoined Twins

The most recent media reports about the conjoined twins who were separated in Manchester in November, 2000 reveal the babies’ actual names — Rosie and Gracie (Rosie the weaker twin died as a consequence of the separation). Their mother, Rina Attard, is quoted as saying, ‘we are happy that the decision to separate was taken by the judges... it meant we didn’t say, “Yes, kill Rosie to save Gracie”’. At the time of the court case, the parents thought the court was acting wrongly. However, it is not too late to ask whether the parents are now right to be happy with the court’s decision.