I just read recently where scientists have found a remarkable amount of difference, much more than expected, in the DNA between identical twins. This, of course, interests me because I have identical twins.
Anyway, one type of difference noted between ID twins is the number of copies of various genes present. So one twin might have one copy and another might have three of the same gene.
In my girls, in the same several week period, one girl's curve advanced 10 degrees and the other's had no measurable difference (no brace in either). There is no doubt they are ID twins... there was only one chorion which is dispositive for ID twinning.
So putting the two observations together (difference in the number of gene copies and my girls having very different trajectories, at least so far), I'm wondering if rate and amount of curve progression might be controlled by the number of copies of one or more genes a person has.
If true, maybe one day they can determine a priori whether a person's curve will progress to needing surgery or not. Once this is known, then they can see whether any brace will work on curves that are genetically programed to be large. That will be very interesting.
Just a wild thought.
Anyway, one type of difference noted between ID twins is the number of copies of various genes present. So one twin might have one copy and another might have three of the same gene.
In my girls, in the same several week period, one girl's curve advanced 10 degrees and the other's had no measurable difference (no brace in either). There is no doubt they are ID twins... there was only one chorion which is dispositive for ID twinning.
So putting the two observations together (difference in the number of gene copies and my girls having very different trajectories, at least so far), I'm wondering if rate and amount of curve progression might be controlled by the number of copies of one or more genes a person has.
If true, maybe one day they can determine a priori whether a person's curve will progress to needing surgery or not. Once this is known, then they can see whether any brace will work on curves that are genetically programed to be large. That will be very interesting.
Just a wild thought.
Comment