The genetic puppeteer (ever wonder why genetic twins look progressively different over time?)

Creation Magazine ^ | David White

[GodGunsGuts]

The genetic puppeteer

by David White

Back in 2005 a group of researchers published a landmark study on a question that has long puzzled geneticists: why aren’t identical twins … identical? Considering that they have the same DNA sequence in each of their cells, it seems a bit strange that they often possess a number of physical differences, such as different fingerprints, and different susceptibilities to disease. This raises the question: if two people can have identical DNA sequences and yet be so different, is there more to our genetic blueprint than just DNA?...

[Buck W.]

I don’t speak for anyone else. Are you so 0/1 that anyone who doesn’t worship as you do is automatically grouped into a homogeneous “not us” category?

[Buck W.]

Do you practice Christianity, or do you simply believe in the literal truth of the Bible?

[Caramelgal]

The question is, are these slight variations enough to explain all the differences. Or is it a combination of differences re: genetics, epigenetics (which responds to environment, life choices, etc), etc, etc.

There is actually a much better article on this topic on the NYTimes Health Section website but I hate linking to the NYSlimes (plus I think that is verboten).

But in a nutshell yes, it is currently thought to be a combination of several factors… genetics/DNA, environment and epigenetics included.

I became interested in this topic when my niece gave birth to triplets last year.

Two of the three girls are identical and, boy oh boy, are they. Mom can always tell “the twins” apart, dad, most of the time but even though I seem them regularly, I have trouble. I can see some slight variations in their appearance but only after mom points them out, like for instance one twin has a barely noticeable birth mark on her upper leg and the notches on their upper ears are slightly different. In addition to their appearance, they are much more similar in personality and temperament than they are with their triplet sister, although they are becoming more different everyday.

The identical twins’ teeth have been coming in a different order, as they are learning to crawl they are going about it differently, one rolls and scoots more and the other rocks back and forth on knees and elbows. But then again there are some interesting things they do alike, like one will sneeze and the other will sneeze immediately afterward even though they are in different rooms. Same with hiccups. Or they will both be on the floor, on their stomachs and will be banging their right fists or their left leg in perfect unison.

Now 11 months old, they’ve been great fun and a joy to watch along with their other “big” sister who is turning 2 this April. And actually the non-identical triplet looks more like her “older” sister did at a similar age than she does with her triplet sisters.

(And to answer the obvious questions, some of the ones my niece and her husband get asked most when they are out in public; No, my niece and her husband weren’t trying to get pregnant again so soon after their first daughter; No, fertility drugs or IVF were never used; Yes, they have their hands full; No, they aren’t on any public assistance; Yes, my niece thinks that Octomom has a screw loose; Yes my niece is a pro-life conservative; Yes, her first OBY suggested she have a “selective reduction”, i.e. abort/kill two of the three babies; Yes, she told him to pi$$ off and found another OBY who specializes in high risk pregnancies, Yes, life is difficult for them, financially and in many other ways; No, they don’t regret it for one minute).

[Fichori]

“What is my error snoogums?”

Your error, fruity pie, was getting PWNED!

[tpanther]

Do you practice Christianity, or do you simply believe in the literal truth of the Bible?

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I can’t properly address your question until you first answer mine, (on a different thread I think, the definition of Christianity, as you understand it, and if you did, I missed it),

because if you don’t have a working knowledge of what it is you’re seeking in the first place you do yourself a great injustice.

[tpanther]

Are you so 0/1 that anyone who doesn’t worship as you do is automatically grouped into a homogeneous “not us” category?

The Bible actually instructs us to beware of such. I'm anxiously awaiting your definition of Christianity.

[Popman]

Bookmark

[Wacka]

Yeah, I really got “Pwned” by someone who has no knowledge of biology other than what he read in Creation “science” magazines. He still hasn’t answered and I ask you what is your experience in biology. Did you even take it in HS?
have you worked with DNA, cloned it, amplified it, mutated it?

[Buck W.]

You continue to dodge. We all know that no matter how I define Christianity, you will not accept it because it won’t include dogmatic adherence to the literal inerrancy of the Bible.

We know what Christianity is. If you still don’t want to address my points, then I understand and accept your refusal to do so.

[Buck W.]

“The Bible actually instructs us to beware of such.”

Not my Bible. In fact, we condemn the Koran for the very same outlook.

[tpanther]

You continue to dodge. We all know that no matter how I define Christianity, you will not accept it because it won’t include dogmatic adherence to the literal inerrancy of the Bible.

We know what Christianity is. If you still don’t want to address my points, then I understand and accept your refusal to do so.

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Your hole just gets deeper and deeper.

[tpanther]

“The Bible actually instructs us to beware of such.”

Not my Bible. In fact, we condemn the Koran for the very same outlook.

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In all seriousness, I invite you to go to a Christian church that is Christ centered.

Where Christ and HIS message is THE central message.

[Buck W.]

“Where Christ and HIS message is THE central message.”

...and stiff hard working waitresses by leaving tracts that proclaim “His message” instead of a real tip!

Sorry, I prefer to practice my Christianity in a less me-centered way.

[tpanther]

Wow Buck...WOW.

I see you’re figuring out what it’s not...that’s good!

BTW, there’s no instruction in the New Testament to stiff waitresses...

or murder native Americans...

or push girls down stairs at school if they don’t join prayer groups...

I’m happy that you’re not self-absorbed when it comes to Christianity!

That’s certainly a good start...but what do you think it means, centrally speaking?

[OldNavyVet]

Mutations happen ... and identical organisms will shortly evolve into not so identical beings.

[allmendream]

Can you propose for me a scientific experiment that will “test for” or “measure” God?

If not then God is not an entity that submits to being measured, or the demands that God act in a reproducible or predictable fashion. As such Science is completely inapplicable.

So got that experiment proposed?

If you think you need a scientific experiment to discover God; didn't God say that faith should be enough?

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

[Wacka]

The Catholic Church!

[Wacka]

I’m watching a hockey game for the next 3 hours, might be back after that.

[Trillian]

I wonder if the right and left handed twins are what they call mirror image twins.

I have identicals myself and they have had very different personalities right from the start even though they look very much alike.