Twins and Genetics Essay examples - 1315 Words

Twins and Genetics Behavioral genetics is a field of research that investigates the relative effects of heredity and environment on behavior and ability (Plomin, 1997). Two of the primary methods used by behavioral geneticists are the twin study method, first used by Galton (1975) in his studies of heredity, and the adoption method. In the twin study method, researchers studies identical twins (monozygotic twins) and fraternal twins (dizygotic twins) to determine how much they resemble each other on a variety of characteristics. Identical twins have exactly the same genes because a single sperm cell of the father fertilizers a single egg of the mother, forming a cell that then splits and forms two human beings-carbon copies. But†¦show more content†¦Probably the best way to assess the relative contributions of heredity and environment is to study identical twins that have been separated at birth and raised apart. Although it seems amazing, researchers have found that identical twins that are brought up in the same family are no more alike as adults that are identical twins who are reared apart. When separated twins are found to have strikingly similar traits, it is assumed that heredity has been a major contributor to those traits heredity, and the adoption method. One of the most extensive investigatio n of twins raised in separate homes is the Minnesota Study of Twins reared apart, which over the past 20 years has studied hundreds of twin pairs who were separated early in life (Bouchard, 1994; Finkel et al., 1995). This study, like others of its kind, has consistently found such striking psychological and behavioral similarities between monozygotic twins that the important role of genes in personality development can no longer be denied. Typical is the case of Oskar Stohr and Jack Yufe, identical twins born of a Jewish father and Christian mother in Trinidad in the 1930s. Soon after their birth, Oskar was taken to Nazi Germany by his mother to be raised as a Catholic in a household consisting mostly of women. Jack was raised as a Jew by his father, spending his childhood in the Caribbean and some of his adolescence in Israel. On the face of it, it would be difficult to imagineShow MoreRelatedGenetic Disorders in Twins Essay2032 Words   |  9 PagesTwin studies have been used to distinguish between genetic and environmental factors for many disorders in the general population including ectodermal dysplasia, Ellis-van Creveld, and anencephaly. This review focuses on genetic disorders affecting monozygotic, dizygotic, and conjoined twins to gain a better understanding of them. Many studies focus on twins because they have a nearly identical genome, which eliminates environmental factors. In case studies, the concordance rates in monozygotic twinsRead MoreThe Genetics And Environment On The Intelligenece Through Twin Studies2979 Words   |  12 PagesNavdeep Kalia General Psychology (064) 03/01/2015 Assesment of The Genetics and Environment on the Intelligenece Through Twin Studies The primary source scientific experiment to be analyzed for this paper is the â€Å"A Twin Study into the Genetic and Environmental Influences on Academic Performance in Science in nine-year-old Boys and Girls† (Haworth, Claire M.A., Philip Dale, and Robert Plomin. â€Å"A Twin Study into the Genetic and Environmental Influences on Academic Performance in Science in Nine-Year-OldRead MoreNature vs. Nurture Essay1094 Words   |  5 Pages Today most interest in twins serves to determine whether traits come from ones environment or from genetics. However, throughout time, twins have been a constant source of entertainment and amazement for society. Twins differ very little, and according to an e-mail interview with Dr. Nancy Segal, the American attraction to them is due to our high value and appreciation of independency and personal differences. Segal believes the similarity of twins contrasts greatly with Americans values and thisRead MoreIs Homosexuality Or Not?1707 Words à ‚  |  7 Pages Is homosexuality genetic? This a common question asked among society today. While some people argue that homosexuality is genetic, some people also believe that it is nature and not nurture. Genetics is the study of genes, heredity, and genetic variation in living organisms. Genetic processes work in combination with an organism s environment and experiences that influence development and behavior of the organism, often stated to as nature vs nurture. Trait inheritance of genes is stillRead MoreIs Homosexuality Or Not?1294 Words   |  6 Pages Is homosexuality genetic? This a common question asked among society today. While some people argue that homosexuality is genetic, some people also believe that it is nature and not nurture. Genetics is the study of genes, heredity, and genetic variation in living organisms. Genetic processes work in combination with an organism s environment and experiences that influence development and behavior of the organism, often stated to as nature vs nurture. Trait inheritance of genes isRead MoreIs Homosexuality Or Not?1491 Words   |  6 Pageshomosexuality genetic? This a common question asked among society today. While some people argue that homosexuality is genetic, some people also believe that it is nature and not nurture. Genetics is the study of genes, heredity, and genetic variation in living organisms. Genetic processes work in combination with an organism s environment and experiences to influence development and behavior, often referred to as nature vs nurture. Trait inheritance of genes is still a primary principle of genetics in theRead MoreHow Genetics And Environment Affect A Child s Behaviors846 Words   |  4 PagesMany researchers argue whether genetics or the environment, play a greater factor in the future behaviors of children. Some articles did experiments which indicated nature is a strong possibility in children’s behaviors; while the opposing articles ex periments showed that nurture is also a strong determinant. The goal for this paper is to show how genetics and environment both affect a child’s behaviors. The first professional article that was read is called â€Å"The Role of Nature and Nurture for IndividualRead MoreThe Causes And Cures Of Schizophrenia938 Words   |  4 Pagesdifficult for scientists to find a remedy that works for all patients. Recent studies have shown that identical twins have an increased risk of developing the condition. The risk is increased by half in comparison to individuals who do not carry twin genetics. Many wonder if schizophrenia is caused by a physical abnormality inside the brain, but it has not been scientifically proven yet. Since twins are at the highest at risk for schizophrenia, it is essential to study the behaviors, patterns and recoveryRead MoreDifference Between Twins And Clones Essay1193 Words   |  5 Pages Smith 8th Dec, 2016 Difference in twins and clones From the very beginning of evolution, human beings have been developing themselves rapidly in physical and mental aspects. With every successful evolutionary era, human beings are found to be somewhat alike to their ancestor. Birth of twins is always a matter of great curiosity in world. Many are amazed with this fact of twining. The fact that contrasts offspring’s being alike to their ancestor is a genetic carrier called DNA. DNA is a double helicalRead Morepsych 6451544 Words   |  7 Pagessituation or task. Many, if not all of these factors of personality, traits, and genetics, make up who an individual is. One s may believe an individual s personality, differences, and individualities is the core of who an individual truly is. Genetics and Research Genetics illustrate the variations within one s personality and measures are accounted by an individual s genetic components (Mervielde, 1994). Genetics in research describes the environmental influences in a assortment of personifications