What Can We Learn About DNA Testing From the Film “Twins?”

Is “Twins” the Film Realistic and Can Real Twins Be Tested for Paternity?

 

Dr. Steve Cummings, Geneticist

This is Twins with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito as unlikely twins. In this scene, we’re going to look at the room where they were conceived and potentially delivered.

Film

"You came out first, of course."

"We weren’t expecting him. We were making the most fully developed human the world has ever seen. But instead of just one perfect kid, Mom had the two of us. Way to go, Mom."

"Wrong. The embryo did split in two, but it didn’t split equally. All the purity and strength went into Julius. All the crap that was left over went into what you see in the mirror every morning."

Dr. Steve Cummings, Geneticist

Let’s pause it there. This is not going to happen if you’ve got identical twins. Post-fertilisation, the egg splits and the identical DNA goes into both of them. That’s why they’re identical.

To get non-identical twins, or fraternal twins as they’re called, you’d have two different eggs fertilised by two different sperm. Then, you could have an Arnold Schwarzenegger and a Danny DeVito, but not in this scenario.

Interviewer

What are the sorts of traits that are highly inheritable?

Dr. Steve Cummings

Certainly, things like physical characteristics — eye colour, hair colour, skin colour — these are all heritable. Traits like muscle composition and the way you process things, your metabolic pathways, are also influenced by genetics.

Interviewer

From a DNA testing perspective, how real is Twins?

Dr. Steve Cummings

Twins isn’t real at all. It’s clearly done for comedy, not scientific accuracy. It’s a zero.

Explainer: How DNA Testing for Relationships Works

When it comes to DNA testing for relationships — whether that’s a paternity DNA test or a sibling DNA test — the core concept revolves around comparing specific markers in the DNA of the individuals involved.

Identical Twins:

Identical twins come from a single egg that splits after fertilisation. This means that their DNA is essentially the same. If you are conducting a relationship test (e.g., paternity dna test) for identical twins, both twins would show the same genetic profile. Therefore, distinguishing between them for something like paternity would be impossible using traditional DNA testing, as their DNA is a complete match.

For example, if two identical twin brothers were tested to determine which one fathered a child, a standard paternity test wouldn’t be able to differentiate between them because they have identical genetic markers. More advanced methods or non-DNA-related evidence would be required to establish who the biological parent is in such cases.

Non-Identical (Fraternal) Twins:

Fraternal twins, on the other hand, come from two separate eggs fertilised by two different sperm cells. This means they share about 50% of their DNA, just like any other full siblings. In relationship testing, fraternal twins can be tested and treated like regular siblings. Since they don’t share identical DNA, a paternity or maternity test could distinguish between which twin is the biological parent.

In terms of relationship verification, DNA testing looks for patterns of inheritance from parent to child. For instance, half of the child’s DNA comes from the biological father and the other half from the biological mother. By comparing the child’s DNA profile with that of the alleged father or mother, labs can determine whether a biological relationship exists with a high degree of certainty.

Sibling and Extended Family Testing:

When it comes to a sibling DNA test or extended family testing (like determining if two people are Grandparent and Grandchild or Uncle/Aunt and Niece/Nephew), the same principles apply. Identical twins would be genetically indistinguishable, while fraternal twins, like any other full siblings, would share about 50% of their DNA. Testing for relationships beyond immediate family members (such as half-siblings, cousins, or grandparents) looks at shared genetic markers across multiple locations in the DNA to determine the likelihood of a biological relationship.

AttoLife’s Approach to DNA Relationship Testing

At AttoLife, all our tests: paternity DNA test, maternity DNA test, sibling dna test and other 

relationship DNA tests are conducted with precision to provide accurate and legally sound results. Whether you're dealing with identical twins, fraternal twins, or other family relationships, we use comprehensive testing techniques to analyse and compare multiple genetic markers.

All our tests are conducted under strict confidentiality and in compliance with ISO 17025 standards, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the results. Our chain of custody and secure data handling processes ensure that the genetic information remains confidential and protected, especially when used in sensitive legal cases, such as family law and relationship verification.

Request a DNA Test Quotation

If you would like a peace of mind DNA test, head over to our partner AssureDNA. For Legal DNA tests or Immigration DNA tests, you can request a quote here.

 

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