DNA quandary
If a woman had sex with two identical twins and became pregnant, would a paternity test be able to determine which was the father?
Seriously, this is a real question. I want to know. For the record, I am not currently experiencing this problem, nor am I in any danger of experiencing it. I just thirst for knowledge, okay?
Seriously, this is a real question. I want to know. For the record, I am not currently experiencing this problem, nor am I in any danger of experiencing it. I just thirst for knowledge, okay?
posted by JenIsFamous at 12/31/2006 01:27:00 PM
7 Comments:
The answer is no. I googled identical twin paternity tests and found the answer in three minutes. The tests could possibly rule out both men, but not tell you that one man was most likely the father.
Mom! You have truly entered the internet age.
It is slightly embarrassing that you found the answer so quickly when I could've done it myself, but isn't it more interesting my way?
Jen,
Let's see how much of high school biology I remember:
Assuming that we know for fact that the twins are indeed identical and not really fraternal despite a close resemblance (i.e., zygosity testing has been conducted already, or is not otherwise necessary), I'm gonna say that the answer is no. My reasoning is, twins (and other multiple birth siblings) are the only types of humans--besides clones, if you believe that they, like the truth, are out there--who can have genetic dopplegangers. Identical twins such as those I presume you mean have the same GENOTYPES, but not the same PHENOTYPES--See, Mr. Goodman? I WAS paying attention!--which means that they have identical DNA but this is not manifested identically in certain of their respective physical characteristics (e.g., their fingerprints, which are unique).
Is there a way to tell identical twins apart? Of course. But will a DNA test such as that used to reveal paternity (i.e., the type about which you ask) reveal conclusively who is the father? No.
BTW, I will be happy to ask my brother's father-in-law, who is Chair of OB/GYN at New Jersey Medical School, if you doubt my reasoning. But, as per usual, I think I'm right.
Happy New Year,
Matt
No sooner had I sent my answer to your question, but I saw that your mother did a Google search that revealed what I suspected.
Pity Google--it may be a behemoth of a search engine, but your minions are legion, Jen!
LOL
Well, yes, Matt. But you're three steps behind my Mom ;)
I can only laugh at the thought of my mother being a minion.
Jen,
Of course, I am three steps behind your mother, but that is to be expected considering that you owe your own DNA to both her and your father. That said, MY mom could be in the Guiness Book of World Records for googling. The woman thinks Google is a food group, or something; that there must be some sort of USRDA for esoteric information without which her progeny would be unable to survive.
It was my mother, after all, who sent me an e-mail containing the factoid that the birth control pill was invented just weeks after convertible-top automobiles began rolling off the production lines. Coincidence? I think not. We may resolve in the new year to show our moms more of the appreciation they richly deserve, but necessity, of course, is the mother of invention.
Happy New Year,
Matt
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home