A molecular geneticist at Western University has found that identical twins are not identical after all. This is BIG news for the multiples world.
Dr. Shiva Singh assessed the genetic differences between in two sets of twins and their parents where only one twin had schizophrenia. He studied a portion of the genome using what’s known as a DNA chip and found differences between twins. Singh discovered that we do not have only genes that we acquired from our parents, our cells can increase or decrease the number of genes during replication.
Wow! That is big. If he is right it turns what we know about genes upside down and can possibly have a huge impact on research for genetic diseases. More studies need to be done to confirm his findings before we will really know. This seems to turn my previous understanding of nuclear DNA vs mitochondrial DNA explanations of differences on its head, I think. (comment on Jen’s It Get’s Better Canada post re: homosexuality, genes, twins studies).
The study of twins and genetics has a long and disturbing history. I’m torn as to how I feel about it. I understand the value of having two genetically identical subjects. But if they’re not identical, is there still an advantage? It’s likely that modern studies do not exploit twins or multiples the way they have been in the past, but who knows. Ethics are tricky and many researchers will cross the line to follow their passion.
I do know I wouldn’t put these two in a study…unless…what if one had a disease and the study could help her? I don’t think you ever know what you would do until you actually have to make a decision.
Sources: http://www.parentcentral.ca/parent/babiespregnancy/babies/article/965662–identical-twins-may-not-be-identical-after-all-study-finds
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0017125
This is fascinating…
This is fascinating & a wee bit frightening as well. Would you mind keep up to speed with what happens in the further studies?