Comments on: Can Identical Twins Be Male and Female?

By: Kate Phillipa Clark

Kate Phillipa Clark — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 05:24:44 +0000

In reply to Chelsea. Hi Chelsea. Thank you for sharing. I believe you may be right. If you share 100 % dna, you were most likely meant to be identical. You are definitely not alone :)

By: Chelsea

Chelsea — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 03:43:09 +0000

I’m unsure where I fit into all of this but I got my genetic testing done and so did my twin brother and we share 100% dna. I am intersex so I believe we were most likely meant to be identical but something happened along the way to make me an intersex female and him a “normal” male. Really interesting to find that we’re not alone. Thanks for the article :)

By: Kevin

Kevin — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 18:48:36 +0000

The term “identical twin” or “ fraternal twin” refers only to a unique genetic and chromosomal makeup i.e. one egg splitting into two. It does not refer to behavior or physical appearance. In theory two people could look and behave “identically” and not be twins at all.

By: Kate Phillipa Clark

Kate Phillipa Clark — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 12:14:41 +0000

In reply to Agnes madu.

Agnes, our deepest condolences for your loss. Are you aware of the Center for Loss in Multiple Birth (CLIMB)? They have a lot of information regarding loss on their website including interviews with mothers: http://www.climb-support.org

By: Agnes madu

Agnes madu — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 11:18:06 +0000

Living in Jos plateau state nigeria.lost my identical boy and girl twin babies to twin twin transfusion syndrome,two weeks ago. it’s so painful.

By: Kate Phillipa Clark

Kate Phillipa Clark — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 08:46:04 +0000

In reply to Dennis Outlaw.

Hi Dennis,
We just heard back from the Washington State Twin Registry and have updated the article. You’re right in your assumption that they are much more genetically the same – they are genetically identical, except for their sex chromosomes.

By: Kate Phillipa Clark

Kate Phillipa Clark — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 21:18:48 +0000

In reply to Dennis Outlaw.

Hi Dennis,
Thank you for your question. We need to discuss your question with an expert in twin research / genetics – then we’ll answer you and update the article accordingly. If you want to be notified about updates to this article (and articles on about-twins.com in general), you’re more than welcome to sign up for our newsletter. We’ll be in touch!

By: Dennis Outlaw

Dennis Outlaw — Sat, 02 Jun 2018 22:56:38 +0000

But with 22 other xx pairs that are identical, doesn’t this make them much more genetically the same than normal fraternal twins?

By: Kate Phillipa Clark

Kate Phillipa Clark — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 07:58:40 +0000

In reply to Djea3.

Hi,

Thank you for your comment.
We do need to update/correct this article. As you point out the XXY split to XX & XY would not result in two identical individuals – but rather two genetically different individuals that (could) stem from 1 egg/1 sperm cell, as with identical twins. Thanks for drawing our attention to this!

By: Djea3

Djea3 — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 01:25:53 +0000

Therefore it is NOT possible. The MOMENT that the XXY splits to XX XY it is OBVIOUS that the two X’s are not necessarily genetically identical and that the XY is only ONE off those X set of chromosomes, the Y is totally different. The fact that the Y is genetically different assures that they are NOT identical.
It does however mean that there was a “correction” genetically to assure that the life being formed did not die off and it is a non-standard condition.
Remember that BOTH X factors came from the mother…..there are no two ways around that. You could say that they came from a very strange and unusual genetic anomaly but they are definitely NOT identical at all. IF the extra X and Y came from the father it would be totally different than if the extra X came from the mother. IT would also mean that TWO sperm or a genetically variant sperm won the race If the XX came from the mother is would likewise mean that the egg is abborent.