Out of all the questions you could ask, why would you ask such a question? You are either incredibly stupid or just plain rude.
Or freaking curious. Seriously. Does one or both feel it? Is masturbation a committe effort? These are real questions, and denying their validity is stupid. They’re over 18 now, not only is it legal to ponder such things but the girls themselves have to face such issues themselves in real life.
Xeno is correct, they haven’t answered such questions, and when asked something along that line in their 16th birthday TV special they said they’re not to the point of figuring these things out.
So save the rage for something that isn’t so real-life.
Yes, a perfectly legitimate question to ask.
And and equally legitimate response is “none of your damn business”.
actually it is none of your business, but that apart they should both feel the sensation as they said themselves that the “border” between their bodies (indeed there are two bodies, just conjoined) is nearly in the middle. i remember their mother telling that they do playfully touch their bellies along the middle line telling when one twin’s sensation fades and the other’s starts. so hopefully they are both having partial feeling in their sexual organs, too.
I think concerning marriage, they can (and should) maryy one man, for the reproductive result of marrying two men will be having intercourse in the same vagina, this is odd. Being two women married to one man has an equivalent in Islam religion when one man can legally marry two women. I just want to ask if there is a case record of a male conjoined twins, as the other living conjoint twin (Lori and Reba) are also females?
Since they have shown both a marked difference in tastes and a splendid ability to figure out how to manage their lives, I would expect one of them to marry a man she falls in love with, and the other to marry a man she falls in love with. They are two separate entities, just conjoined so as to take up the same space. They have separate drivers licenses and I would expect they will end up with separate marriage licenses too.
i have ,been following the two girls story for
quite some time
and i find her life verry interresting
I don’t think it is offensive to Jesus. I think one husband is best as they share the same reproductive organs. They would have to find someone they both love and who loves both of them, and seeing as how real love is a choice and not an emotion, it’s quite possible.
It would be illegal for them to marry the same man, polygamy is unlawful in the U.S.They are classified as two different people, they each have their own heart and their own brain. They also have individual personalities therefore they probably wouldn’t want to marry the same man.
I love it when those who care less about Christianity begin preaching legalities. Abuse of scripture runs amok among the non christian types.
I think they can marry one man, for if they married two men, then both men will be having intercourse in the same vagina and a pregnancy that would result will be in the same womb, I find this odd. If they both married one man, then we have a variety of this (in Islam religion) when a man can legally marry two women. If they have two separate bodies on lateral sides, then it would be presumed that each of them own one ovary. If a contraception is used, and fertilisation achieved by IVF and ovum retrieval, then the side of the ovary from which an egg was driven can be considered the mother of the baby. For another baby, then an ovum would be taken from the other ovary to enable the other twin to mother the child. The father stays the same.
I think it’s funny that Scott thinks that one set of reproductive organs equals one woman as opposed to the concept that two minds/brains/personalities equal two women. He’s basically saying that the woman is equal to her reproductive organs as opposed to her individuality. It’s up to them and the people with whom they fall in love to make it work.
It seems more likely he was equating a woman’s body to her circulatory system or what is directly attached to her than a vagina or womb. I can’t say that for sure of course, but it is interesting that that is what you assume. Tell me is it your mind in the gutter or do you just have such a low amount of respect for humanity.
well i know…men r a whole lot different then women… they think with the 1 head…no brain!!…n in this situation there r 2 brains… not just heads…. i wouldnt expect a man 2 know squat BOUT THAT!!
i agree with michelle about being 1 woman actually… coz thers only 1 vagina/womb so would it mean 1 woman and 1 un sex? lol
They are two different people living in the same body. If one sister eats the other sister receives nourishment. They have 2 hearts pumping but one circulatory system, they each have a lung of their own and one shared lung, basically they have a body built to accommodate the needs of two people sharing a body in a efficient manner. Two people one body.
Thus said, marriage should depend on the twins own decision of marriage and whether it is to a body or mind. Also any child would be a child would belong to both since they share the same DNA, blood and reproductive system. They both would experience the pregnancy and so would both probably have a maternal attachment to the child.
Technically, they each have their own ovary. It’s not just one reproductive system, it’s Abby’s half joined with Brittany’s half. So they’re not just “one woman” because they share a reproductive system…
I know that this will sound disturbing but I am curious.. It was said that they hang with friends and are like any other normal teen.
They are 18 now and I assume that they will and or are dating. With out being crude or graphic I must ask how will that work? There are ethical questions that could be ask. These are two different individuals that share the same space what about sexual consent or even marriage?
I assume that they share the same likes and dislikes but could a marriage even be legal? If they had children Who would be listed as the birth mother?
I don’t intend to be crude but there are hundreds of possible questions that could be ask……. They are both as attractive as any other average teen girl………..
Also my comment can’ t be anymore rude than the response earlier that they could be new species.
Now I know why these young women hid their MySpace page. I loved it when they said something like people don’t need to know who we are dating and that stuff. Likewise, they are not experiments or specimens on a microscope slide. I would have been proud to have them as daughters. and it is the young women who have shown they can solve questions and conflicts which most of us could never solve. My Lord, I think they will have a wonderful life and they will decide and work out any problem they come up against. How they do it, when they do it, what they do… like the 16 year olds said, it’s not anybody’s business. They are obviously masters of loving life.
Despite being a personal and potentially offensive question, it is also probably one of the most important questions to be asked. The fact that they share a lower body, including the sexual organs, will necessarily lead to the need for a change in the entire legal system concerning the laws of marriage (if they decide to pursue marriage and the possibility of offspring) and the philosophical issues concerning the human identity. Such problems as the potential breach of laws against bigamy and even the question as to which twin would be the true mother (begettor) of any child they produce cannot be solved by their own decision, unless they take a joint degree in philosophy and anatomy and thereby gain the necessary expertise to make such a decision. In short, the implications of such a condition reaches out to a far bigger picture than that which is wholly contained within the Hensel twins themselves.
The girls are two separate people because each has a brain and heart, as someone else mentioned earlier on this thread. There wont need of any change in the legal system or for the girls to get a “joint-degree” in philosophy and anatomy because they’re two separate people. They share separate DNA, which is what would probably be used to determine the maternity of the children they bear. Though religious types on this thread seem to think it’s only appropriate for the girls to share a husband, I find that to be immoral – it’d be polyamory that way. Ethically, they should and probably will have separate husbands and will each bear their own children.
Figure out your basic scientific principles before you comment on this type of stuff, people.
@Lalachic
Your an [insult deleted]… According to your statement: “Ethically, they should and probably will have separate husbands and will each bear their own children.”
Let me know how this works out when the DNA results coma back showing Abigail’s husband as the genetic father of Brittany’s child… This in terms of “ethic’s” would be considered adultery with a bastard child as a result…
I am in no way religious, nor do I fully dis-believe in religion(s). I would agree on 1 husband or even 2 if they so choose… And to hell with the legal system…
I think religious ethic’s and morals should be left out of these girls lives if they so choose, as many of them are closed minded and outdated.
Also the legal system would need to make exceptions… What if one of them commits a crime worthy of incarceration? And the other one is forced to take part against her will? Do you punish both or does the criminal go free?
All and all I think these girls are chaos* incarnate and that makes them awesome!
*noun
1. a state of utter confusion or disorder; a total lack of organization or order.
2. any confused, disorderly mass: a chaos of meaningless phrases.
@digi
DNA result?? they are IDENTICAL twins with identical chromosomes, so of course the result is going to be that any child of them will be matching their DNA as well as the father’s. maybe you better shouldn’t have slept at school 😉
@ Lalachic: A “joint degree” is when someone takes multiple majors; any (one) person can take a joint degree. I’m not saying they are one person, but they obviously would have to take the same classes, study together, and be tested together; it’s unavoidable. I think Charlie meant that they would have to get both degrees so that they both have the information -from both degrees- to make a good, educated decision.
Also, as *identical* twins, they actually are genetically identical despite being two separate people; genetically, which twin provides the egg that gets fertilized in a pregnancy does not matter (moral/ethical/legal importance is obviously not so clear-cut).
I’m sure that, if and when they decide to get married, have children, etc, they will work it out with each other and probably get any legal exceptions necessary to allow them to be happy with the 1 man or 2 men they love, and, unfortunately for them, it will probably be highly publicized. It’s really not the public’s business, but it’s only natural to be curious about such things when confronted with such a story.
Just something to think about: I have known 2 identical twins (not conjoined) who were dating the same guy at the same time and each of the 3 people in the relationship were aware of and okay with this. I heard they had different kissing styles 🙂
Reply to comment about rudeness moved to the Evolution vs Creation Debate.
These beautiful young women are an inspiration to me. I get so lonely sometimes. I wish I had a soulmate that I could share everything with, who would always stay with me and never leave me, who would always be there when I needed to talk. They are the blessed ones.
would you mind if I use this quote for a shirt i am designing for social-t.com?
“I wish I had a soulmate that I could share everything with, who would always stay with me and never leave me, who would always be there when I needed to talk. They are the blessed ones.”
My design features two beautiful conjoined twins, and this quote would be along the bottom hem.
I hope that is ok. Feel free to email me if you want to see the design or have a question.
I think they are quite interesting. I have wife already, otherwise wouldn’t have problems in becoming the boyfriend of both or even marrying them, have kids, and all that.
I fel bad for that litle boy in the picture when they were five. Very interesting, and Mike’s points are true. There are problems with being diferent in our society, unfortunately.
ok look that just made me cry im only 11 and i found this video from a picture. i was doing a book report on the book the girls. a book about conjoined twins. i was shoked too se how these people could move and how they do things its amazeing what god can put on this earth. but when i saw how much there family cared about them and how they were normal it was shoking!!!!! i really is a wowing story and i hope they make it far in life
Umm, the article said that they are the only set of twins who share a TORSO who have survived into adulthood. It didn’t say they were the only set of conjoined twins to have survived into adulthood. Lori and Dori Schapell are joined at the head, not the torso.
For everyone who apparently can’t read, it doesn’t say they’re the oldest conjoined twins, nor does it say they’re the only ones to survive into adulthood. it says, QUITE CLEARLY that they are one of FOUR sets of twins joined at the TORSO to survive to adulthood.
Jess, I can read quite well, including this sentence from the top of the page, second sentence in the first dotted box: “Abigail and Brittany Hensel from Minnesota are the oldest conjoined twins in the world.” However, the Schappell twins (and possible others) are older, so that statement is incorrect.
These girls are a delight and an inspiration to all. They corner the market on cooperation, companionship and courage. I just saw a current documentary of their lives and was happy to see them still doing well since first hearing of their unique lives back in the early 90’s. They, along with their family’s support, have become lovely, confident women in a world that can certainly be cruel. Kudos to Abigail and Brittany. Best of luck in your college years and your certain sucessful future.
I’m not totally sure why I am even making a post to this, but here goes. Xeno is right about 99% of the information that is he/she (sorry, that name isn’t very gender specific) has entered. The reason I say only 99% is because without genetic testing to prove/disprove this “theory”, there is no way to say it’s correct or not. The ideas set forth have merit and could be entirely possible. As it is that Abby and Brittany will not consent to testing, those questions shall never be answered. But to back Xeno, there is strong merit to your ideas. Are you a student in genetics?? Or an intructor in this field? You speak as though you know this for fact, which is good. You should always back your theory, until proven otherwise of course. I know that what Xeno has said may sound crass or like it’s just cruel banter. It is all correct. It could be possible that there is a genetic mutation that caused their spacific physiology. It could be a fluke, we may never know. Please, do not get angered over scientific theory, as humans, it is how we base all knowledge. Think, test, prove-disprove. There is no need for offense to be taken. It’s natural. These young women are unique, perfect, and truely happy to be who they are. Keep theorizing, it’s a good thing to do. But don’t fight with people about it, just stick-poilitely, to your guns. And remember, only God knows, until science learns it too. Smile. I am.
Perhaps when they have to submit DNA to determine the maternity of their children they’ll be ready to allow some simple testing to learn more about their physiology. It would be interesting to know more about how their body works, without invading their privacy and normalcy. No need to ravage their lives for the sake of science.
dammit, is it the american school system? again, the girls are IDENTICAL twins with identical chromosomes, so no proof needed, they will both be the birth- AND genetic mothers. phew, idiots..
intructor (from above) was meant to be instructor. Sorry about the typo. Bad keys on my keyboard.
We are curious beings, without curiousity we would learn little, it’s unreasonable to expect people to look away from others who are different. Politeness goes only so far. The twins have mouths if they find it offensive I’m sure they’d make it known.
As for the sex thing – it is a very interesting topic but I doubt us lesser beings with only one brain will ever know the truth. One thing I’m willing to bet is that if they are both vocal during sex their partner(s) will need earplugs :).
PS The intentional spelling errors are just for you Lori.
Are the girls in college now?
Where ? What are they majoring in?
Do they live on campus or commute?
They are very remarkable & brave.
I’m curious and i’m sure it is a worry that their doctor my be worried about. What would happen to the other if one suffered from sever head trauma and died, (car accident, bike accident…) we know that Abigail controls one half and Brittany controls the other half.
How would you feel if for some accident (god protects you!! of course) you loose your legs, torso, and arms? It’ll be pretty [screw]ed up right?, you would probably want to just die anyways. Now imagine a little worst, your partner for life, since been born the one who eats with you, sleeps with you, use the bathroom with you, have sex next to you, does every single [screw]ing thing with you; for some reason wont be there anymore.. I’m preety sure even if the one left could still alive by removing the other ones head (I KNOW THIS TALK IS OUT OF CONTEXT AND MIGH NOT BE MY FUKING BUSSINES, BUT WHEN SOMEBODY ASK A OPEN QUESTION I LIKE TO GIVE IT A TRY TO ANSWER, SORRY IF IT’S TOO, [WAY TOO] MEAN, BAD OF ME TO WRITE, I APOLOGIZE SPECIALLY TO THE GIRLS Abigail and Britney Hensel AND WISH YOU THE BEST AT ALL TIMES BY THE WAY)she wouldn’t want to live, because what kind of life could that be, it would be like lossing your soul, a feeling of emptiness and that’s all, I couln’t imagine it but I try and it just wouldn’t make no sence.
P.S. sorry for the bad spelling, still studing to get it better and I dont really like to correct it always when I bloging so don’t judge people, I already do a lot correcting all my homework ;-P
Are the girls dating?I think that is was very cruel of their parents not to separated the girls when they were born.How are they going to get married and have kids?They should just go to college and gets jobs and do the best they can.
If the parents attempted to separate the twins at birth would, most likely, kill one of them, if not both, they share one liver meaning the one with the smaller half of the liver would probably die without an almost immediate transplant, also in the torso the two sets of lungs and two hearts are extremely close, if separation was attempted major arteries could be cut or damaged killing both. They also only have one bladder, and one set of reproductive organs, how would that be divided up? Chances are that if they were separated the twins life would be much harder or there might have only been one alive or both could have died.
WELL I WROTE YOU A LETTER SOME HOW I HIT THE WRONG KEY AND I LOST IT . I’M VERY SORRY I HIT THE TAB BUTTON. I REALLY DON’T FEEL LIKE WRITING ANOTHER LETTER SO I’M GOING TO SIGN OFF JUST WRITE ME A LETTER. WRITE ME BY MAIL TERI LYNN [Physical Address Removed] OR E-MAIL ME AT terilosangeles@AOL.COM OR terilynn.terilosangeles@gmail.com I KNOW YOUR BIRTHDAY IS MARCH 7 1990.IF IT’S OK CAN I SEND YOU A WONDERFUL GIFT. TERI
To Xeno and others (a few): Your ability to respond to others w/o taking offense to the name-calling, etc. You are to be commended for your “broad shoulders”, and I thank you for your politeness. Continue to show others how to let it roll off your back when they call you stupid or idiotic. Thanks again…
Shame on the poster who judged their parents as cruel for not separating them at birth. From what I gather (sharing sex organs and who knows what other organs) I don’t think they could have been separated without sacrificing one of them. I think their parents made the right choice and obviously have done a wonderful job raising them into such well adjusted young ladies.
They said in their documentary that they welcome people to ask them questions instead of staring or taking pictures. They have a great attitude. As for dating and having children, that’s an issue only they will figure out when the time comes.
Thanks JaniceR. This page I found linked from the one you gave is really amazing: History of Conjoined Twins (1950-1969) “An extremely rare case of conjoined male-female twins is born in 1957 as reported in the 1988 book Twinning and Twins. …”
I doubt if I’d ever be at a party and Brittany-Abigail walks in, but I daydreamed a way to greet and talk to them. I wonder whether they are together -or separate- in their dreams.
Hi my name is shasta. I am a college student studying radiology technology (x-ray) and I am doing a powerpoint presentation assignment and I choose the topic “conjoined twins”. I just want to say that I think Brittany & Abigail are AWESOME!
They are not the oldest conjoined twins in the world by a long shot, the Schappell sisters are the oldest female conjoined twins and are in their 40’s.
[1st part of comment moved to the Evolution vs Creation Debate].
I watched a special about these girls and when the subject of sex was broached they quickly changed the subject. If they do not have psychological issues related to sex and other things I will be shocked. What if one of them is gay and the other is not for example? Talk about a conundrum!
they are teenagers! would you have talked about your sexual preferences or desires with the mere age of 16 in front of a cam with all your mates and family watching? sic.
I think Abbey and Brittany are amazing! They appear to be mature beyond their years, happy, well-liked and hard working, as now they are attending college. I have seen several shows about them and their sweet family and thought a lot about their future.
They have both stated emphatically that they want to have children. They are two DIFFERENT people so as this may sound strange, I believe that they both could marry different men. The very first well-known “siamese twins” were men, and they married sisters, and had quite a few children. Abby and Brittany have had to become creative problem solvers, from a young age. One of them could be enjoying intimacy with her husband while her sister had most of her side (of her body and head) covered and watching TV or distracted in some way as to give her sister as much privacy as possible. Birth control methods could be used until it was decided that it was time for a child. The four adults could decide which couple would be the genetic parents, then with invetro fertilization they could have a normal pregnancy and childbirth. Then possibly baby number two could be the biological child of the other couple, making the children, first cousins. I believe those two have the intelligence and fortitude to make something like that work. Of course it’s really none of our business, but naturally we are curious about such matters, and I would like to see them fulfilled in every way possible.
if they do share a vaginal sensations, intercourse would be experienced by both of them, covered or not. kids would be carried by both of them and given birth to by both of them, the kids will have both their chromosomes (as they’re identical twins!!). so they would clearly have to choose a man or men, who both of the girls like, as they will be both having sex and kids with him or them.
This is a bit of a [insult deleted]ic discussion about the girls “constituting a new species” and showing that evolution occurs all around us, etc. They are not a different species, indeed, they are the same phenomenon as identical twins with the physical defect of improper separation in the first few days of life. Their children, if they are able to carry to term, will be completely normal (well, there is still a million to one chance that their children will be siamese twins, but this chance will be no higher than your or my children). Please learn a little biology before you wax and wane about a “new species of humans.”
Darwin’s observation of the systematic implantation of wasp eggs under the skin of a certain caterpillar, leading to the chemical control of that caterpillar as a slave to the growth of the wasp larvae beneath its skin, releasing chemicals that lead to the altering of its limited mental faculties into sacrificing its life to protect the young wasps upon bursting out from its interior led him to conclude that God cannot possibly exist.
and has anyone tried this recently and come to the same conclusion?
Nope.
amen, anon.
good lord. ugh. you people are driving me nuts.
xeno(you need a new name) if your as smart as you act then why do you have the time to sit around and do this? honestly. you make me want to kick cats.
Hi Katie.
Sorry to hear you are having some problems.
As a far as this blog and “Why me?” If not me, who? Most scientists are too busy. By not having kids and giving up TV, I have plenty of time to blog. After doing this for years I can post several interesting things in 5 to 10 minutes a day and write a bit. I spend more of my spare time on music than blogging, for example.
I believe that God sent this world in motion, perhaps millions of others too. He sits back and enjoys his creation, perhaps not allowing Himself to know what is to happen. Wants change, wants us to be imperfect and work toward a higher plane of existence. Perhaps some day we will progress to a point where we will be able and worthy to speak with Him on His level. How lonely it must be to be an omnipotent being, with no equal. But nobody and I mean nobody knows the answer to this idea or any other and to act like you do shows more ignorance than knowledge. Faith is not fact although many like to blend the two.
Well said Xeno. I don’t pretend to follow all of your arguments or understand the intricacies of genetics, but science has more answers than any religious text. Strange that God treats his creations like lab rats, when, if he wanted our blind following, he could just tell us and we’d follow.
Is there a danger here of the human species dividing into new creationist and evolutionist species?
Well, as an student of biology, i ‘ll seperate between Religion and Science. Because religion is always subjective for each person, thats why this earth has many kind of religion. There’s a great and huge wall which seperate science and religion. As a conclusion, I truly believe there’s a God and i also believe that we’d been given skills by God to reveal a lot of mystery (including Science).
Personally, I think that my God give me skills to “Think With Logic”. I’ll use this skills just for good of human kind.
I’m still at college, i’ll be graduate as a scientist and as a scientist i care A LOT about human and nature.
So that i must reveal many things to Survive this Collapsing Earth and Creatures.
I don’t want to see a couple have a defect baby(i’m sorry about word “defect” because my english vocabularies and grammar isn’t good enough), as a scientist i’ll doing many research to help many couple to avoid having a defect baby.
Sorry for my BAD grammar. Thanks ^_^
Hojo, I wouldn’t deny anybody their belief. However, I suspect that the thousands that die or suffer in natural disasters every year, do not share in God’s intended happiness for us.
I’m afraid I believe God is manmade.
This is really no medical mystery – this is just a case of an embryo that was going to split (and make identical twins) that didn’t fully split and continued to develop as two babies without making the entire separation. Not medically interesting.
What is interesting is that ultrasound equipment WAS available eighteen years ago. I can’t imagine how this wasn’t picked up on the ultrasound and if it was, how their mom could have NOT aborted. There is no question that I would NOT knowingly birth a child with a serious physical or mental handicap. The world is difficult enough without handing the kid that kind of obstacle on day one.
Hello Crystal,
Some people with mental and/or physical handicaps have contributed great things to humanity. Beyond that, the twins have no doubt been a source of joy to their friends and family. They are inspirational because they are an amazing example of cooperation. They prompted me to learn more about biology and genetics. You make it seem well understood, but the truth at the molecular biology level is mysterious and amazing.
Did you know identical twins can be different sexes, for example? See genetic mosaicism. Here are a few citations from peer reviewed scientific journals:
– Monozygotic twins of discordant sex both with 45,X/46,X,idic(Y) mosaicism. Am J Med Genet. 1991 Nov 1;41(2):239-45. – nih
– Monozygotic twins of different apparent sex. Am J Med Genet. 1994 Oct 15;53(1):52-5. – nih
– Discordant phenotypes and 45,X/46,X,idic(Y). J Med Genet. 1998 Oct;35(10):862-4. nih
– Monozygotic twins with discordant sexual phenotypes due to different ratios of mosaicism of 47,X,idic(Y),idic(Y)/46,X, idic(Y)/45,X.
Endocr J. 2002 Aug;49(4):497-501. – nih
– Long-term follow-up and analysis of monozygotic twins concordant for 45,X/46,XY peripheral blood karyotype but discordant for phenotypic sex. Am J Med Genet A. 2007 Nov 1;143A(21):2616-22. Click here to read
The implications are interesting. One possibility is that all identical twins differ genetically and that this difference (rejection of one group of early cells by the other) is what made them twins in the first place. If we learn exactly how this works, we may be able to prevent it from happening, then no one would have to make the choice you suggest.
I think we are just on the very beginning of our journey in our ability to “hack our biology”, which is exciting, and a bit frightening at the same time. Five hundred years from now, will humans look the same?
i have a twin
kinda wierd question but if they both have their own nervous system, which one feels intercourse? …
The twins do not answer such questions.
wow way to be an (bleep), it was just a question
Out of all the questions you could ask, why would you ask such a question? You are either incredibly stupid or just plain rude.
Or freaking curious. Seriously. Does one or both feel it? Is masturbation a committe effort? These are real questions, and denying their validity is stupid. They’re over 18 now, not only is it legal to ponder such things but the girls themselves have to face such issues themselves in real life.
Xeno is correct, they haven’t answered such questions, and when asked something along that line in their 16th birthday TV special they said they’re not to the point of figuring these things out.
So save the rage for something that isn’t so real-life.
Yes, a perfectly legitimate question to ask.
And and equally legitimate response is “none of your damn business”.
actually it is none of your business, but that apart they should both feel the sensation as they said themselves that the “border” between their bodies (indeed there are two bodies, just conjoined) is nearly in the middle. i remember their mother telling that they do playfully touch their bellies along the middle line telling when one twin’s sensation fades and the other’s starts. so hopefully they are both having partial feeling in their sexual organs, too.
I think concerning marriage, they can (and should) maryy one man, for the reproductive result of marrying two men will be having intercourse in the same vagina, this is odd. Being two women married to one man has an equivalent in Islam religion when one man can legally marry two women. I just want to ask if there is a case record of a male conjoined twins, as the other living conjoint twin (Lori and Reba) are also females?
Since they have shown both a marked difference in tastes and a splendid ability to figure out how to manage their lives, I would expect one of them to marry a man she falls in love with, and the other to marry a man she falls in love with. They are two separate entities, just conjoined so as to take up the same space. They have separate drivers licenses and I would expect they will end up with separate marriage licenses too.
i have ,been following the two girls story for
quite some time
and i find her life verry interresting
Will be an interesting wedding night….
Two on one. At least Chang and Eng were the Men….
Ask your religious leader if that’s offensive to their lord?
I don’t think it is offensive to Jesus. I think one husband is best as they share the same reproductive organs. They would have to find someone they both love and who loves both of them, and seeing as how real love is a choice and not an emotion, it’s quite possible.
It would be illegal for them to marry the same man, polygamy is unlawful in the U.S.They are classified as two different people, they each have their own heart and their own brain. They also have individual personalities therefore they probably wouldn’t want to marry the same man.
I love it when those who care less about Christianity begin preaching legalities. Abuse of scripture runs amok among the non christian types.
I think they can marry one man, for if they married two men, then both men will be having intercourse in the same vagina and a pregnancy that would result will be in the same womb, I find this odd. If they both married one man, then we have a variety of this (in Islam religion) when a man can legally marry two women. If they have two separate bodies on lateral sides, then it would be presumed that each of them own one ovary. If a contraception is used, and fertilisation achieved by IVF and ovum retrieval, then the side of the ovary from which an egg was driven can be considered the mother of the baby. For another baby, then an ovum would be taken from the other ovary to enable the other twin to mother the child. The father stays the same.
I think it’s funny that Scott thinks that one set of reproductive organs equals one woman as opposed to the concept that two minds/brains/personalities equal two women. He’s basically saying that the woman is equal to her reproductive organs as opposed to her individuality. It’s up to them and the people with whom they fall in love to make it work.
It seems more likely he was equating a woman’s body to her circulatory system or what is directly attached to her than a vagina or womb. I can’t say that for sure of course, but it is interesting that that is what you assume. Tell me is it your mind in the gutter or do you just have such a low amount of respect for humanity.
well i know…men r a whole lot different then women… they think with the 1 head…no brain!!…n in this situation there r 2 brains… not just heads…. i wouldnt expect a man 2 know squat BOUT THAT!!
i agree with michelle about being 1 woman actually… coz thers only 1 vagina/womb so would it mean 1 woman and 1 un sex? lol
They are two different people living in the same body. If one sister eats the other sister receives nourishment. They have 2 hearts pumping but one circulatory system, they each have a lung of their own and one shared lung, basically they have a body built to accommodate the needs of two people sharing a body in a efficient manner. Two people one body.
Thus said, marriage should depend on the twins own decision of marriage and whether it is to a body or mind. Also any child would be a child would belong to both since they share the same DNA, blood and reproductive system. They both would experience the pregnancy and so would both probably have a maternal attachment to the child.
Technically, they each have their own ovary. It’s not just one reproductive system, it’s Abby’s half joined with Brittany’s half. So they’re not just “one woman” because they share a reproductive system…
I know that this will sound disturbing but I am curious.. It was said that they hang with friends and are like any other normal teen.
They are 18 now and I assume that they will and or are dating. With out being crude or graphic I must ask how will that work? There are ethical questions that could be ask. These are two different individuals that share the same space what about sexual consent or even marriage?
I assume that they share the same likes and dislikes but could a marriage even be legal? If they had children Who would be listed as the birth mother?
I don’t intend to be crude but there are hundreds of possible questions that could be ask……. They are both as attractive as any other average teen girl………..
Also my comment can’ t be anymore rude than the response earlier that they could be new species.
Please what are everyones thoughts on this.
Now I know why these young women hid their MySpace page. I loved it when they said something like people don’t need to know who we are dating and that stuff. Likewise, they are not experiments or specimens on a microscope slide. I would have been proud to have them as daughters. and it is the young women who have shown they can solve questions and conflicts which most of us could never solve. My Lord, I think they will have a wonderful life and they will decide and work out any problem they come up against. How they do it, when they do it, what they do… like the 16 year olds said, it’s not anybody’s business. They are obviously masters of loving life.
Despite being a personal and potentially offensive question, it is also probably one of the most important questions to be asked. The fact that they share a lower body, including the sexual organs, will necessarily lead to the need for a change in the entire legal system concerning the laws of marriage (if they decide to pursue marriage and the possibility of offspring) and the philosophical issues concerning the human identity. Such problems as the potential breach of laws against bigamy and even the question as to which twin would be the true mother (begettor) of any child they produce cannot be solved by their own decision, unless they take a joint degree in philosophy and anatomy and thereby gain the necessary expertise to make such a decision. In short, the implications of such a condition reaches out to a far bigger picture than that which is wholly contained within the Hensel twins themselves.
The girls are two separate people because each has a brain and heart, as someone else mentioned earlier on this thread. There wont need of any change in the legal system or for the girls to get a “joint-degree” in philosophy and anatomy because they’re two separate people. They share separate DNA, which is what would probably be used to determine the maternity of the children they bear. Though religious types on this thread seem to think it’s only appropriate for the girls to share a husband, I find that to be immoral – it’d be polyamory that way. Ethically, they should and probably will have separate husbands and will each bear their own children.
Figure out your basic scientific principles before you comment on this type of stuff, people.
@Lalachic
Your an [insult deleted]… According to your statement: “Ethically, they should and probably will have separate husbands and will each bear their own children.”
Let me know how this works out when the DNA results coma back showing Abigail’s husband as the genetic father of Brittany’s child… This in terms of “ethic’s” would be considered adultery with a bastard child as a result…
I am in no way religious, nor do I fully dis-believe in religion(s). I would agree on 1 husband or even 2 if they so choose… And to hell with the legal system…
I think religious ethic’s and morals should be left out of these girls lives if they so choose, as many of them are closed minded and outdated.
Also the legal system would need to make exceptions… What if one of them commits a crime worthy of incarceration? And the other one is forced to take part against her will? Do you punish both or does the criminal go free?
All and all I think these girls are chaos* incarnate and that makes them awesome!
*noun
1. a state of utter confusion or disorder; a total lack of organization or order.
2. any confused, disorderly mass: a chaos of meaningless phrases.
@digi
DNA result?? they are IDENTICAL twins with identical chromosomes, so of course the result is going to be that any child of them will be matching their DNA as well as the father’s. maybe you better shouldn’t have slept at school 😉
@ Lalachic: A “joint degree” is when someone takes multiple majors; any (one) person can take a joint degree. I’m not saying they are one person, but they obviously would have to take the same classes, study together, and be tested together; it’s unavoidable. I think Charlie meant that they would have to get both degrees so that they both have the information -from both degrees- to make a good, educated decision.
Also, as *identical* twins, they actually are genetically identical despite being two separate people; genetically, which twin provides the egg that gets fertilized in a pregnancy does not matter (moral/ethical/legal importance is obviously not so clear-cut).
I’m sure that, if and when they decide to get married, have children, etc, they will work it out with each other and probably get any legal exceptions necessary to allow them to be happy with the 1 man or 2 men they love, and, unfortunately for them, it will probably be highly publicized. It’s really not the public’s business, but it’s only natural to be curious about such things when confronted with such a story.
Just something to think about: I have known 2 identical twins (not conjoined) who were dating the same guy at the same time and each of the 3 people in the relationship were aware of and okay with this. I heard they had different kissing styles 🙂
Reply to comment about rudeness moved to the Evolution vs Creation Debate.
And yet, it is a *choice* to be a homosexual?
These beautiful young women are an inspiration to me. I get so lonely sometimes. I wish I had a soulmate that I could share everything with, who would always stay with me and never leave me, who would always be there when I needed to talk. They are the blessed ones.
would you mind if I use this quote for a shirt i am designing for social-t.com?
“I wish I had a soulmate that I could share everything with, who would always stay with me and never leave me, who would always be there when I needed to talk. They are the blessed ones.”
My design features two beautiful conjoined twins, and this quote would be along the bottom hem.
I hope that is ok. Feel free to email me if you want to see the design or have a question.
thanks
~HeatherRose
LOL Ca$h in!
thats not right ! the oldes conjoined twins are :
lori and dori schappell – born sept.18 in 1961 in reading , pennsylvania .
greetings from tiniju
Oh, you are right! Thanks! Here is a link with photos of the REAL oldest living conjoined twins.
THEY ROCK! They’re so inspiring!
I think is just dependes,but still kind of difficult if they married to a man or 2
They wouldn’t be legally able to marry one man that would be considered polygamy. It is outlawed in the US.
I think they are quite interesting. I have wife already, otherwise wouldn’t have problems in becoming the boyfriend of both or even marrying them, have kids, and all that.
Dear god no… Imagine the arguments!! lolz
[moved to the Evolution vs Creation debate.]
I fel bad for that litle boy in the picture when they were five. Very interesting, and Mike’s points are true. There are problems with being diferent in our society, unfortunately.
ok look that just made me cry im only 11 and i found this video from a picture. i was doing a book report on the book the girls. a book about conjoined twins. i was shoked too se how these people could move and how they do things its amazeing what god can put on this earth. but when i saw how much there family cared about them and how they were normal it was shoking!!!!! i really is a wowing story and i hope they make it far in life
remember im only 11!!!!!!
If you are only 11, what are you doing up at 10 past midnight??
Umm, the article said that they are the only set of twins who share a TORSO who have survived into adulthood. It didn’t say they were the only set of conjoined twins to have survived into adulthood. Lori and Dori Schapell are joined at the head, not the torso.
hey my name is jessica rohrig i live in Indiana Milan will e mail me back bestfriendsracheljessica@hotmail.com ok i love Abby and Brittany are my BFF
Moved to the Evolution vs Creation Debate.
For everyone who apparently can’t read, it doesn’t say they’re the oldest conjoined twins, nor does it say they’re the only ones to survive into adulthood. it says, QUITE CLEARLY that they are one of FOUR sets of twins joined at the TORSO to survive to adulthood.
Jess, I can read quite well, including this sentence from the top of the page, second sentence in the first dotted box: “Abigail and Brittany Hensel from Minnesota are the oldest conjoined twins in the world.” However, the Schappell twins (and possible others) are older, so that statement is incorrect.
These girls are a delight and an inspiration to all. They corner the market on cooperation, companionship and courage. I just saw a current documentary of their lives and was happy to see them still doing well since first hearing of their unique lives back in the early 90’s. They, along with their family’s support, have become lovely, confident women in a world that can certainly be cruel. Kudos to Abigail and Brittany. Best of luck in your college years and your certain sucessful future.
Julie (Detroit, Michigan)
I’m not totally sure why I am even making a post to this, but here goes. Xeno is right about 99% of the information that is he/she (sorry, that name isn’t very gender specific) has entered. The reason I say only 99% is because without genetic testing to prove/disprove this “theory”, there is no way to say it’s correct or not. The ideas set forth have merit and could be entirely possible. As it is that Abby and Brittany will not consent to testing, those questions shall never be answered. But to back Xeno, there is strong merit to your ideas. Are you a student in genetics?? Or an intructor in this field? You speak as though you know this for fact, which is good. You should always back your theory, until proven otherwise of course. I know that what Xeno has said may sound crass or like it’s just cruel banter. It is all correct. It could be possible that there is a genetic mutation that caused their spacific physiology. It could be a fluke, we may never know. Please, do not get angered over scientific theory, as humans, it is how we base all knowledge. Think, test, prove-disprove. There is no need for offense to be taken. It’s natural. These young women are unique, perfect, and truely happy to be who they are. Keep theorizing, it’s a good thing to do. But don’t fight with people about it, just stick-poilitely, to your guns. And remember, only God knows, until science learns it too. Smile. I am.
Perhaps when they have to submit DNA to determine the maternity of their children they’ll be ready to allow some simple testing to learn more about their physiology. It would be interesting to know more about how their body works, without invading their privacy and normalcy. No need to ravage their lives for the sake of science.
dammit, is it the american school system? again, the girls are IDENTICAL twins with identical chromosomes, so no proof needed, they will both be the birth- AND genetic mothers. phew, idiots..
intructor (from above) was meant to be instructor. Sorry about the typo. Bad keys on my keyboard.
How about specific………?? Bad keys too?
Oooooh Lori yuo r so biatchy!
We are curious beings, without curiousity we would learn little, it’s unreasonable to expect people to look away from others who are different. Politeness goes only so far. The twins have mouths if they find it offensive I’m sure they’d make it known.
As for the sex thing – it is a very interesting topic but I doubt us lesser beings with only one brain will ever know the truth. One thing I’m willing to bet is that if they are both vocal during sex their partner(s) will need earplugs :).
PS The intentional spelling errors are just for you Lori.
Are the girls in college now?
Where ? What are they majoring in?
Do they live on campus or commute?
They are very remarkable & brave.
I’m curious and i’m sure it is a worry that their doctor my be worried about. What would happen to the other if one suffered from sever head trauma and died, (car accident, bike accident…) we know that Abigail controls one half and Brittany controls the other half.
I’m sure that it would be devastating on too many levels to think of…
How would you feel if for some accident (god protects you!! of course) you loose your legs, torso, and arms? It’ll be pretty [screw]ed up right?, you would probably want to just die anyways. Now imagine a little worst, your partner for life, since been born the one who eats with you, sleeps with you, use the bathroom with you, have sex next to you, does every single [screw]ing thing with you; for some reason wont be there anymore.. I’m preety sure even if the one left could still alive by removing the other ones head (I KNOW THIS TALK IS OUT OF CONTEXT AND MIGH NOT BE MY FUKING BUSSINES, BUT WHEN SOMEBODY ASK A OPEN QUESTION I LIKE TO GIVE IT A TRY TO ANSWER, SORRY IF IT’S TOO, [WAY TOO] MEAN, BAD OF ME TO WRITE, I APOLOGIZE SPECIALLY TO THE GIRLS Abigail and Britney Hensel AND WISH YOU THE BEST AT ALL TIMES BY THE WAY)she wouldn’t want to live, because what kind of life could that be, it would be like lossing your soul, a feeling of emptiness and that’s all, I couln’t imagine it but I try and it just wouldn’t make no sence.
P.S. sorry for the bad spelling, still studing to get it better and I dont really like to correct it always when I bloging so don’t judge people, I already do a lot correcting all my homework ;-P
WOW! They are great, what a great family and how refreshing they are.
xx
Are the girls dating?I think that is was very cruel of their parents not to separated the girls when they were born.How are they going to get married and have kids?They should just go to college and gets jobs and do the best they can.
If the parents attempted to separate the twins at birth would, most likely, kill one of them, if not both, they share one liver meaning the one with the smaller half of the liver would probably die without an almost immediate transplant, also in the torso the two sets of lungs and two hearts are extremely close, if separation was attempted major arteries could be cut or damaged killing both. They also only have one bladder, and one set of reproductive organs, how would that be divided up? Chances are that if they were separated the twins life would be much harder or there might have only been one alive or both could have died.
Opinion noted… Good job. You have determined that, their parents are evil terrible people!!! Your so smart. lols
WELL I WROTE YOU A LETTER SOME HOW I HIT THE WRONG KEY AND I LOST IT . I’M VERY SORRY I HIT THE TAB BUTTON. I REALLY DON’T FEEL LIKE WRITING ANOTHER LETTER SO I’M GOING TO SIGN OFF JUST WRITE ME A LETTER. WRITE ME BY MAIL TERI LYNN [Physical Address Removed] OR E-MAIL ME AT terilosangeles@AOL.COM OR terilynn.terilosangeles@gmail.com I KNOW YOUR BIRTHDAY IS MARCH 7 1990.IF IT’S OK CAN I SEND YOU A WONDERFUL GIFT. TERI
To Xeno and others (a few): Your ability to respond to others w/o taking offense to the name-calling, etc. You are to be commended for your “broad shoulders”, and I thank you for your politeness. Continue to show others how to let it roll off your back when they call you stupid or idiotic. Thanks again…
I bet who ever said that was Xeno extolling himself/herself (who can tell with his bizarre name)
I think Anonymous is an even more bizarre name, don’t you think? At least he shows some personality, not anonymity.
I’d like to commend myself for having the balls to call out these imbeciles… Yay me!
Shame on the poster who judged their parents as cruel for not separating them at birth. From what I gather (sharing sex organs and who knows what other organs) I don’t think they could have been separated without sacrificing one of them. I think their parents made the right choice and obviously have done a wonderful job raising them into such well adjusted young ladies.
They said in their documentary that they welcome people to ask them questions instead of staring or taking pictures. They have a great attitude. As for dating and having children, that’s an issue only they will figure out when the time comes.
Agreed! Well said.
Ronnie and Donnie Galyon who live in Dayton, Ohio were born in 1951.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronnie_and_Donnie_Galyon
Thanks JaniceR. This page I found linked from the one you gave is really amazing: History of Conjoined Twins (1950-1969) “An extremely rare case of conjoined male-female twins is born in 1957 as reported in the 1988 book Twinning and Twins. …”
do you know how many conjoined twins there have ever been?
I doubt if I’d ever be at a party and Brittany-Abigail walks in, but I daydreamed a way to greet and talk to them. I wonder whether they are together -or separate- in their dreams.
Hi my name is shasta. I am a college student studying radiology technology (x-ray) and I am doing a powerpoint presentation assignment and I choose the topic “conjoined twins”. I just want to say that I think Brittany & Abigail are AWESOME!
They are not the oldest conjoined twins in the world by a long shot, the Schappell sisters are the oldest female conjoined twins and are in their 40’s.
[1st part of comment moved to the Evolution vs Creation Debate].
I watched a special about these girls and when the subject of sex was broached they quickly changed the subject. If they do not have psychological issues related to sex and other things I will be shocked. What if one of them is gay and the other is not for example? Talk about a conundrum!
1st part was blah.. But your closing statement.. AWESOME lol
they are teenagers! would you have talked about your sexual preferences or desires with the mere age of 16 in front of a cam with all your mates and family watching? sic.
[moved to the Evolution vs Creation Debate.]
I think Abbey and Brittany are amazing! They appear to be mature beyond their years, happy, well-liked and hard working, as now they are attending college. I have seen several shows about them and their sweet family and thought a lot about their future.
They have both stated emphatically that they want to have children. They are two DIFFERENT people so as this may sound strange, I believe that they both could marry different men. The very first well-known “siamese twins” were men, and they married sisters, and had quite a few children. Abby and Brittany have had to become creative problem solvers, from a young age. One of them could be enjoying intimacy with her husband while her sister had most of her side (of her body and head) covered and watching TV or distracted in some way as to give her sister as much privacy as possible. Birth control methods could be used until it was decided that it was time for a child. The four adults could decide which couple would be the genetic parents, then with invetro fertilization they could have a normal pregnancy and childbirth. Then possibly baby number two could be the biological child of the other couple, making the children, first cousins. I believe those two have the intelligence and fortitude to make something like that work. Of course it’s really none of our business, but naturally we are curious about such matters, and I would like to see them fulfilled in every way possible.
Pat… Your awesome!
Pat, I agree that the twins seem super cool.
if they do share a vaginal sensations, intercourse would be experienced by both of them, covered or not. kids would be carried by both of them and given birth to by both of them, the kids will have both their chromosomes (as they’re identical twins!!). so they would clearly have to choose a man or men, who both of the girls like, as they will be both having sex and kids with him or them.
This is a bit of a [insult deleted]ic discussion about the girls “constituting a new species” and showing that evolution occurs all around us, etc. They are not a different species, indeed, they are the same phenomenon as identical twins with the physical defect of improper separation in the first few days of life. Their children, if they are able to carry to term, will be completely normal (well, there is still a million to one chance that their children will be siamese twins, but this chance will be no higher than your or my children). Please learn a little biology before you wax and wane about a “new species of humans.”
DANG! Not sure what to say…its not nice therefore Im not saying anything.
[moved to the Evolution vs Creation Debate]
hahahaha youu guys rite too muchh
Dear Anon
Darwin’s observation of the systematic implantation of wasp eggs under the skin of a certain caterpillar, leading to the chemical control of that caterpillar as a slave to the growth of the wasp larvae beneath its skin, releasing chemicals that lead to the altering of its limited mental faculties into sacrificing its life to protect the young wasps upon bursting out from its interior led him to conclude that God cannot possibly exist.
riiiiiiiiight…….
and has anyone tried this recently and come to the same conclusion?
Nope.
amen, anon.
good lord. ugh. you people are driving me nuts.
xeno(you need a new name) if your as smart as you act then why do you have the time to sit around and do this? honestly. you make me want to kick cats.
Hi Katie.
Sorry to hear you are having some problems.
As a far as this blog and “Why me?” If not me, who? Most scientists are too busy. By not having kids and giving up TV, I have plenty of time to blog. After doing this for years I can post several interesting things in 5 to 10 minutes a day and write a bit. I spend more of my spare time on music than blogging, for example.
PS. Be good to animals. Here is a cat for you. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2020/10/19/2000-year-old-cat-carved-into-hillside-peru/3708743001/
I believe that God sent this world in motion, perhaps millions of others too. He sits back and enjoys his creation, perhaps not allowing Himself to know what is to happen. Wants change, wants us to be imperfect and work toward a higher plane of existence. Perhaps some day we will progress to a point where we will be able and worthy to speak with Him on His level. How lonely it must be to be an omnipotent being, with no equal. But nobody and I mean nobody knows the answer to this idea or any other and to act like you do shows more ignorance than knowledge. Faith is not fact although many like to blend the two.
I think they’re very cool and beautiful!
Well said Xeno. I don’t pretend to follow all of your arguments or understand the intricacies of genetics, but science has more answers than any religious text. Strange that God treats his creations like lab rats, when, if he wanted our blind following, he could just tell us and we’d follow.
Is there a danger here of the human species dividing into new creationist and evolutionist species?
Well, as an student of biology, i ‘ll seperate between Religion and Science. Because religion is always subjective for each person, thats why this earth has many kind of religion. There’s a great and huge wall which seperate science and religion. As a conclusion, I truly believe there’s a God and i also believe that we’d been given skills by God to reveal a lot of mystery (including Science).
Personally, I think that my God give me skills to “Think With Logic”. I’ll use this skills just for good of human kind.
I’m still at college, i’ll be graduate as a scientist and as a scientist i care A LOT about human and nature.
So that i must reveal many things to Survive this Collapsing Earth and Creatures.
I don’t want to see a couple have a defect baby(i’m sorry about word “defect” because my english vocabularies and grammar isn’t good enough), as a scientist i’ll doing many research to help many couple to avoid having a defect baby.
Sorry for my BAD grammar. Thanks ^_^
Logic and Science is a key that made by human to understand every single things, event, and creature.
Religion is a Lesson came from God, generally God wants us to be happy and prosperous.
Dont you see there’s difference where those things come from?
One from God
Another one from Human thingking
Hojo, I wouldn’t deny anybody their belief. However, I suspect that the thousands that die or suffer in natural disasters every year, do not share in God’s intended happiness for us.
I’m afraid I believe God is manmade.
This is really no medical mystery – this is just a case of an embryo that was going to split (and make identical twins) that didn’t fully split and continued to develop as two babies without making the entire separation. Not medically interesting.
What is interesting is that ultrasound equipment WAS available eighteen years ago. I can’t imagine how this wasn’t picked up on the ultrasound and if it was, how their mom could have NOT aborted. There is no question that I would NOT knowingly birth a child with a serious physical or mental handicap. The world is difficult enough without handing the kid that kind of obstacle on day one.
Hello Crystal,
Some people with mental and/or physical handicaps have contributed great things to humanity. Beyond that, the twins have no doubt been a source of joy to their friends and family. They are inspirational because they are an amazing example of cooperation. They prompted me to learn more about biology and genetics. You make it seem well understood, but the truth at the molecular biology level is mysterious and amazing.
Did you know identical twins can be different sexes, for example? See genetic mosaicism. Here are a few citations from peer reviewed scientific journals:
The implications are interesting. One possibility is that all identical twins differ genetically and that this difference (rejection of one group of early cells by the other) is what made them twins in the first place. If we learn exactly how this works, we may be able to prevent it from happening, then no one would have to make the choice you suggest.
I think we are just on the very beginning of our journey in our ability to “hack our biology”, which is exciting, and a bit frightening at the same time. Five hundred years from now, will humans look the same?
>>>”At least Chang and Eng were the men…”
>>>”Ask your religious leader if that’s offensive to their lord?”
I believe the religious leaders would be more offended by Chang & Eng’s cheating at poker.