UK News 07-11-2000 Siamese Twins Jodie and Mary Separated who: Siamese twins Jodie and Mary what: Separated in marathon operation where: St Mary`s Hospital, MANCHESTER when: Last night snippet: "The operation to separate Siamese twins Jodie and Mary has been completed," reports ITN this morning, "but doctors have not yet officially revealed any details." "It is thought likely that the weaker twin Mary would not have survived the operation at St Mary`s Hospital in Manchester," says the BBC, "which is expected to give Jodie the chance of a relatively normal life." "The decision to operate followed a final attempt by opponents of the surgery to have the case taken to the House of Lords," explains The Independent. On Friday, the Court of Appeal rejected the request of the Pro-Life Alliance to be named as Mary`s legal guardian after her parents chose to take their legal opposition no further. Although Jodie will face a number of other operations, her disabilities are not life-threatening, says The Guardian`s Steven Morris. Doctors believe "that she should be able to walk normally, go to an ordinary school, walk unaided, and have children," he reports. "But it is possible that she could need a colostomy and reconstruction of her rectum and sexual organs." [... more]

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