ABSTRACT
The issue of children’s rights achieved an untypical prominence in the British press during the last week of August 2000. Newspapers reported the public controversy prompted when parents refused consent for an operation to separate their child Mary from her Siamese twin Jodie. Their decision was taken to protect Mary’s right to life, although medical evidence suggested this would result in the death of both twins. The parents’ decision was eventually overturned in the High Court. A chorus of sensational headlines addressed an ethically and legally complex issue. “One Twin Must Die” declared the Mirror (26 August 2000) while the Daily Mail headlined “Why I Must Order Twin Baby To Die – Judge’s heartbreaking decision to separate Siamese sisters” (26 August 2000). The broadsheets offered scarcely more measured judgements with the front page of the Guardian claiming “Twins Must Have Fatal Surgery” (26 August 2000), while The Times headed its coverage “Life And Death Decision For Siamese Twins” (26 August 2000).
