Identical clones that share the same set of genes, as well as some body parts. While conjoined twins are typically classified by the point of fusion, for our purposes, they may be divided into two broad categories: homogenitally conjoined twins, who shared a single set of genitalia, and heterogenitally conjoined twins, with two distinct sets of genitalia. Permissible sexual activity is widely taken to require the valid consent of each of the participants of the sexual act. Valid consent requires the satisfaction of the following three conditions. First, an agent’s consent must be informed: she must have all of the information of the relevant facts about what the act involves. Second, consent must be given voluntarily: the decision to either consent or not consent must be made by the agent herself an agent who has been coerced or threatened does not count as having given valid consent. Third, the agent must have the capacity to consent: she must grasp the value and consequences of the act, understand the information about what she is consenting to, and use that information to make an informed decision. If any of these conditions are absent, then any resulting sexual action is non-consensual. Given that valid consent is necessary for permissible sexual activity, let us examine cases in which consent is lacking from one twin. These cases are complicated by the question of whether having sex with heterogenitally conjoined twins counts as having sex with both twins.įirst, consider cases involving heterogenitally conjoined twins, such as Chang and Eng Bunker. A and B are heterogenitally conjoined twins. B does not want to have sex with C and does not give her consent. Prima facie, having sex with A does not seem to entail having sex with B, given their separate genitalia. Similarly, if A and B are minimally fused, as with Chang and Eng Bunker, then it seems implausible that B and C would count as having had sex.įor any two non-conjoined individuals, having sex with one of them does not entail having sex with the other. After all, Chang and Eng fathered a total of 21 children between them, and their descendants are considered to have come from just one of the twins.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |