Scientists have learned why identical twins have a different character
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
According to a new study published recently by scientists from the Murdoch Children's Research Center in Melbourne, Australia, the differences in character, as well as in response to external stimuli in identical twins are due primarily to various environmental influences during their development in the womb .
The researchers took samples from the placenta and found that the structure of DNA, as is traditionally believed, in identical twins, is exactly the same. In other words, they have absolutely identical sets of genes determining their development, appearance, and which seemingly should determine their behavior. However, at the same time, scientists analyzed the content of chemical markers of substances responsible for gene expression, and here they discovered a surprise.
It turned out that expression of genes in identical twins is different. According to the researchers, this is due to various "events that occurred with them during their stay in the womb."
"Evidence of the fact that identical twins may have different health status, character and even appearance we have had for a long time. However, from the genetic point of view, the presence of this phenomenon is not so easy to explain, since such people have absolutely the same genes, they should not differ from each other in anything, "said the study's head Jeff Craig.
Differences in the expression of genes in the view of researchers mean that even though such people have the same genome structure, not all genes are "workers" - some are active, and some "sleep." It depends on the nutrients, their volume and time of arrival, which children receive in the womb through the placenta. Also, scientists do not rule out the possibility that the nature of such people may have a certain effect on nutrition for the first time months of their life.
Researchers also add that during the time of the analyzes, they did not actually detect any cases when the expression of genes in humans was the same, or at least more similar.
[