From “Differences Between Human Twins at Birth Highlight Importance of Intrauterine Environment” (Science Daily, July 15, 2012), we learn,
Your genes determine much about you, but environment can have a strong influence on your genes even before birth, with consequences that can last a lifetime. In a study published online in Genome Research, researchers have for the first time shown that the environment experienced in the womb defines the newborn epigenetic profile, the chemical modifications to DNA we are born with, that could have implications for disease risk later in life.
In this report, an international team of researchers has for the first time analyzed genome-scale DNA methylation profiles of umbilical cord tissue, cord blood, and placenta of newborn identical and fraternal twin pairs to estimate how genes, the shared environment that their mother provides and the potentially different intrauterine environments experienced by each twin contribute to the epigenome. The group found that even in identical twins, there are widespread differences in the epigenetic profile of twins at birth.
But then what about all those politically correct twin studies that claim to show that whether you are gay or religious or … yeah, like we thought.
The worst thing about being a taxpayer is that there is no one to complain to or ask for your money back. The best thing is, we can – so far, legally – just ignore them.