DNA is the same for twins but why arent their fingerprints identical then?

Answer 1

Sorry to burst bubbles, but identical twins generally DO have identical DNA.

In almost all cases, what happens is that a fertilised egg splits into two masses early on in fetal development - each of which develops into a fetus. Thus their genes are 100% replicas of each other, at least initially.

There are rare causes of identical twins not having the same DNA - such as when a new mutation occurs in one twin after the split. But this is real fine print, and not worth considering here.

However, twins do NOT have identical fingerprints. Fingerprints are partly genetically inherited, but there is a substantial environmental contribution that takes place in the womb. These factors include like nutrition, blood pressure, position in the womb, and position of the fetus. These vary from twin to twin, giving each similar, but not identical, fingerprints.

Therefore, identical twins have the same DNA, but not the same fingerprints.

Answer 2

DNA from identical twins can be so similar that it cannot be used in a Court Of Law.

Take the case where identical twin brothers had sex with a woman. She became pregnant, and produced a daughter. DNA was of course unable to tell who the father might be with the twin brothers. It was up to the judge to decide (probably went to his chambers and flipped a coin) who the father was, and assign child support payments to one of the twins.

Fingerprints are decided a bit by our genetics. Some people have very smooth, almost non-exsistant fingerprints, others have deep, very pronouced figerprints.

The loops, whoorls, and swirls are set on a fetus by activity in the womb. The fluids in the womb play the biggest factor in this. The fluids would of course affect the twins differently.

By the way, fingerprints can tell us other things. People with schizophrenia usually have very simple fingerprints compaired to other people. Since schizophrenia is developed usually at puberty, and sometimes as an adult, fingerprints of children might be a good early detection system. Best of all, painless for the child.

~Garnet
Homesteading/Farming over 20 years

Answer 3

They are identical twins, not clones. There are some very small genetic differences even though they are identical twins. Every person is unique.

I have, however, read about a family that doesn't have fingerprints at all. It's just smooth. Weird, huh?

Answer 4

DNA is absolutley not the same for twins though the genes are similar. This is 100% Nothing has identical DNA yet.

Answer 5

Twins appear to be identical to the eye, but they really are not. No one is the same. Their heart beat, voice, love for certain things, and taste will not be the same. And their DNA is really not fully the same. They can still be identified chemically.

Answer 6

because no 2 people have the same fingerprint and its not the DNA who creates fingerprint

Answer 7

Apparently because fingerprints are not determined by DNA. It's probably something environmental.

Answer 8

because natural DNA allows for variation even in twins, but then if they were completely idenitcal they would be clones of one another which cannot be achieved naturally and which is why scientist have to make a clone of the beings inorder to create more than one being with the exact same genetic code

Answer 9

Their DNA is not totally identical. There are still differences.

Answer 10

I am a twin (identical)..and my sister and I we don't have the same figerprints nor the same dna
where do you find you information??