Human Parasite

Synopsis

This young girl from India is born with an additional set of arms and legs, which x-rays reveal belong to her headless, inverted, and undeveloped twin, known as a parasitic twin. Strictly speaking, these extra limbs do not belong to her but are remnants of a twin that failed to develop properly. The formation of identical twins typically occurs within a 12-13 day window after fertilization, and the distinction between a healthy twin and a parasitic twin is a matter of days. After this critical period, the embryo begins to organize into its initial stages of development, leading to the unique condition observed in this young girl.