Does anyone know any more about this story?

NurseFirst · Feb 21, 2005

I think I saw a story similar to this on TV years ago. The extra head smiled and made facial movements, but only if and when the main head did so, and they were the same movements as the main head made. It was as though the nerves were connected. But definitely NOT as though it had a mind or soul or willful intent to smile.

well, this picture doesn't make it look like they are hooked up in terms of facial expressions: http://uk.fc.yahoo.com/050220/325/fcv0y.html

And there has been nothing said about it. Somehow, I would think they would, if that were the case.

NurseFirst

jeepgirl, LPN, NP · Feb 21, 2005

Here's the thing though. They had TWO different brains.

Is the second head thinking???!?!?!?!?They said that that extra head would open its eyes, blink and move its mouth when the other one (the child) would be asleep. Weird. There's video of it on the net if you look it up.

I guess it's reflexes were all there also... from the neck up.

There's video of it on the net. Also, look up stuff on the two headed boy of bengal.

allnurses Guide · Feb 21, 2005

This is a case of two separate children meant to be twins where something goes wrong in the embyronic stage and the second twin didn't develop past the brain/head/face/shoulder(?) stage. The second twin is still the second twin. With a separate brain. It really bothers me that the twin is called a "parasite" even though I understand the physiology involved. Maybe that makes it easier for the doctors though.

There are two babies in that photo. One with severe defects. But a human soul nonetheless.

At least to me.

steph