MadSci Network: Genetics |
After scouring the MadSci archives, I have become fascinated by the formation of fingerprints. One important question, however, remains distinctly unanswered: Monozygotic (identical; MZ) twins have (essentially) identical DNA, and are therefore identical in all respects, except where their DNA is later "cut and pasted" (e.g. immune function/MHC) or where environmental factors exert their influence. As MZ twin DNA is presumably identical at the loci coding for fingerprints, I can only conclude that there are environmental factors that lead to identical twins having absolutely non-identical fingerprints. Are the environmental factor(s) that influence fingerprint formation known? Many thanks for putting my mind at rest (and settling a bet!).
Re: What leads to identical twins having non-identical fingerprints?
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