When Nature Goes Awry: Part One
Posted: Wednesday, December 31, 2008
by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html
The natural laws of physics are such that should produce consistent results and will, until something causes a breach of the rules. It is most astounding and even shocking sometimes to see what can result when a small shift in any given process occurs. Part one of this series deals with variations which occur in the reproduction process.
The reproduction process in humans as normally occurring is that of one female gamete (ovum) and one male gamete (sperm) joins together to form a zygote (fertilized ovum or egg).
But aside from this, there are also occurrences which are not normal and when they do occur, it is very rare and very unlikely to be exactly like other abnormalities. One such thing that occurs and will be our primary topic in this article, is what occurs when a fertilized egg begins to separate but fails to completely do so. This most often results in what is referred to as Siamese or co-joined twins. These twins are grown together at some point of their bodies and depending upon the degree of separation, are sometimes able to be separated surgically. Where some vital organ is not separated, it is usually difficult to separate them at all, or if so, one must be sacrificed for the other.
There have been those joined together at the abdominal area, some on one side or the other and even some joined at the top of their heads. One case where twin sisters were joined at the top of their heads is Maria Teresa and Mara de Jesus Quiej-Alvarez of Guatemala who were successfully separated in August 2002 at Mattel Children's Hospital. UCLA Medical Center; Los Angeles, California. The photo at right shows them just before their surgery. They returned home to Guatemala for a few months but contracted meningitis and were returned to the U.S. for treatment. They continue to live in the U.S. with volunteer families in order to be near medical attention. Their family visits as often as they are able.
But all are not so fortunate. Two beautiful young ladies, Iranian twins, Ladan and Laleh Bijani, were joined at the near top of their heads and grew to age 29 when an attempt was made to separate them in a China hospital. Their brains were fully developed and were able to be separated, however the blood vessels between the two were such that once the separation was made, both died on the operation table.
One of the most famous cases of co-joined twins and the ones whose case started the name Siamese twins. Eng and Chang Bunker were born May 11, 1811 in Siam, now known as Thailand. They lived near normal lives, worked as a side show attraction for some time where they were billed as the "Siamese Twins" and at the end of their contract, went into business on their own and settled down in Wilkesboro, NC where they bought a plantation and bought slaves. They married sisters, Adelaide and Sarah Ann Yates. Chang and Adelaide had 10 children while Eng and Sarah had 11. The wives later had trouble and they set up two households with the men sharing time, 3 days at each house.Eng and Chang both died within one hour of each other at age 62. Chang, who had been in failing health for a number years, died first and Eng an hour later. Although these two men lived a semi-normal life and even their ages were not terribly short for the time they lived, it is somewhat saddening to know that their degree of being joined together could now be readily separated.
Part two of these mistakes of nature will consider the more radical abnormalities such as parasitic twins, parasitic fetus and other abnormal disturbances to the natural birth process.
We are fortunate to live in an age where many of the abnormal occurrences can be detected and in some cases, corrected. May God bless and guide our world's brilliant and dedicated scientists who strive to learn and remedy these disturbing, even though rare, occurrences.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Wow, what a article! How interesting this was not to mention that I learned a lot, I really liked how the article started out, holding onto my attention, as I read on, I was increasingly captured by the content, I guess your never to old to keep learning, and with this article, I feel well informed, and also agree with authors last statement "May God bless and guide our world's brilliant and decicated scientist who strive to learn and remedy these disturbing, even though rare, occurrences". Well done!! I am definately going to be a fan from here on out, thanks again for a informative read!!Gary, you flatter me, but like most people, I love to hear it. Thanks a million for your kind words, comments like that make my day.
Fascinating article!Coincidentally, I saw a documentary about a set of conjoined twins yesterday (57 year-old brothers Ronnie and Donnie Galyon, joined from the sternum to the groin).It was interesting to see the ingenious methods and contortions they had to use just to perform every day tasks, like making toast.I look forward to reading Part Two!Thanks for reading and commenting Ben. I had almost decided not to continue with part two, mainly because this one has drawn so few readers. But I guess I will anyway.
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