Is there any truth in the theory of SEMI- Identical Twins?

Subject: Is there any truth in the theory of SEMI- Identical Twins?

Date: Mon May 24 21:59:23 2004
Posted by Stay At Home Mom
Grade level: nonaligned School: No school entered.
City: No city entered. State/Province: Maryland Country: No country entered.
Area of science: Genetics
ID: 1085453963.Ge

Message:


I understand the difference between identical and fraternal twins. What I am 
wondering is there any truth to the theory I've heard of "semi" identical twins 
in which one egg for some reason divides BEFORE it is fertilized and is then 
fertilized by two different sperm. Would this would account for why some 
faternal twins appear more similiar than "just" siblings? The twins would have 
identical DNA from the mother's contribution but differing DNA from the 
father's contribution. 

Now if we say - this can't happen -eggs only split/clone after fertilization 
not before - why can't they split and clone before fertilization?

Re: Is there any truth in the theory of SEMI- Identical Twins?

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