Conjoined girls born in Manchester, UK, on August 8th, 2000. Mary did not have a functioning heart or lungs, and doctors estimated that Jodie's heart would fail within a few months from the strain of supplying both bodies. After a great deal of discussion and debate the Court of Appeals ordered separation surgery that resulted in Mary's immediate death, over the objections of the babies' parents.
While court documents used pseudonyms, the girls were later disclosed to be Gracie and Rosie Attard, from a small island near Malya.
More information
More information
Sites 5
Overview of the facts of the case, and update on 'Jodie', the surviving twin. [The Guardian]
Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz's analysis of whether it is permissible, under Jewish law, to sacrifice one twin to save the life of the other, using the Mary and Jodie case as an example.
The baby known as 'Jodie' (Gracie Attard) in court papers, now ten months old, is progressing well and ready to leave hospital. [Telegraph]
(June 16, 2001)
Overview of the case, diagram of the twins' bodies and shared circulatory system, and links to other coverage. [BBC News]
(December 07, 2000)
Full text of the judgment mandating separation, in the England and Wales Court of Appeal (Civil Division).
(September 22, 2000)
Overview of the facts of the case, and update on 'Jodie', the surviving twin. [The Guardian]
Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz's analysis of whether it is permissible, under Jewish law, to sacrifice one twin to save the life of the other, using the Mary and Jodie case as an example.
The baby known as 'Jodie' (Gracie Attard) in court papers, now ten months old, is progressing well and ready to leave hospital. [Telegraph]
(June 16, 2001)
Overview of the case, diagram of the twins' bodies and shared circulatory system, and links to other coverage. [BBC News]
(December 07, 2000)
Full text of the judgment mandating separation, in the England and Wales Court of Appeal (Civil Division).
(September 22, 2000)
