Mmastodon ScienceBiology first seen 2 d ago, last 38 min ago, peak #7
Sesquizygotic twins: the rare 'semi-identical' siblings explained
Original: 🧬 Sesquizygotic twins are real, the "1.5 identical" kind. One egg was fertilized by two sperm, then split into two peopl
Scientists have confirmed that sesquizygotic, or semi-identical, twins exist: a single egg fertilized by two sperm then splits, producing twins who are identical on their mother's side but share only about 78% of their father's DNA. Only two cases have ever been confirmed, one in the United States in 2007 and one in Australia in 2019, the latter detected during pregnancy. The extreme rarity is fueling fascination.
Why now: The genetics of a case so rare that only two confirmed examples exist is genuinely surprising and shareable.
sesquizygotic twinsUnited StatesAustralia
Evidence
- 🧬 Sesquizygotic twins are real, the "1.5 identical" kind. One egg was fertilized by two sperm, then split into two people. Identical on the mom's side, about 78% shared on the dad's. Only two confirmed cases: US 2007, and Australia 2019, spotted in the womb. Rare enough that a… · jcrabapple@dmv.community · 8
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