Step 1: Case Study: The Gozo twins
This case study concerns the much publicized case of the twins Jodie (real name Grace) and Mary (Rose), born to the Gozitan couple Michelangelo and Rina Attard. These twins were joined at the lower abdomen, but they each had their own hearts and lungs. The family travelled to the UK for treatment. If separation was not performed, it was expected that the twins would die within three to six months. But even though there was a chance that a separation of the twins would give Jodie a good life-prospect, the parents opposed it on religious grounds because it would certainly kill Mary. However, the decision was taken out of their hands and placed in the Court of Appeal, which authorized separation.

In support of this decision, Lord Justice Ward claimed:
The best interests of the twins is to give the chance of life to the child whose actual bodily condition is capable of accepting the chance to her advantage even if that has to be at the cost of the sacrifice of the life which is so unnaturally supported. I am wholly satisfied that the least detrimental choice, balancing the interests of Mary against Jodie and Jodie against Mary, is to permit the operation to be performed. (Re A, 2001)
Re A. (Children) (Conjoined Twins: Surgical Separation) [2001] Fam. 147, 197.

Step 2:
Read the article: https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/feb/05/sarahboseley

Step 3:
Think about these questions:
a) What was the dilemma facing Mary and Jodie’s doctors?
b) What would the surgery involve?
c) What was the result of the surgery?
d) According to the article, what is the ethical dilemma?
e) What did the parents of the twins want to do in this case, and why?
f) What were their doctors advising, and why?
g) Who decided what should be done?
h) In your opinion, who should have the right to decide in such cases, the parents, the doctors, or any one else?
i) Do you think that when faced with this kind of choice it is justifiable to sacrifice one life to save another?
j) Do you agree with the decision that was taken in this case?

Concluding activity
Considering the questions above and your replies, write a journal entry in which you explain the decision you would have taken, had you been the parent. Explain why you would have taken that decision and the moral implications surrounding it.