Mirror cufflinks? A Curious Phenomenon You’ve Never Heard Of

When one twin looks at the other, it may seem to him that he is looking into a mirror. After all, what makes them different from fraternal twins is that they tend to share the same DNA and are therefore nearly identical. But the truth is that in some cases the mirror is literally, as there are several cases known as mirrored cufflinksin which there are several identical symbols, but located right on the opposite side of the body. They can be moles, birthmarks, dental anomalies and much more.

Its origin is not clear. Scientists think it must be something that happens during embryonic development, but they don’t really know what it is. There are several theories, but none of them have been confirmed for sure.

Yes, there are many documented cases in scientific literature. In them you can see which characters are most common in this mirror image of the mirror twins. Although they are described some oddities. For example, cases of mirror twins with exactly the same indicators of visual acuity, but in opposite eyes, are described.

How are twins different from fraternal twins?

Before talking about mirror twins, it is important to distinguish between twins and fraternal twins. Gemini is the result fertilization of two eggs two spermatozoa. This happens at the same time, so two children are born together. However, their genetic information is different, and they are not far removed from any pair of siblings who did not live together in the womb.

However, twins are formed when the zygote resulting from fertilization one egg with one sperm, is divided into two equal ones, which continue to develop separately. For this reason, they share a common DNA.

What are mirror cufflinks?

Mirror twins are those who, despite being identical, share some of the same characteristics, but only on the opposite side of the body.

This is very common in topics related to moles or birthmarksbut also with teeth. It may just be a slightly longer fang, as shown in a chapter of the French series. ICA. Or something more pronounced, such as unilateral condylar hyperplasia, in which significant asymmetry develops in the jaw.

It may also occur in connection with certain syndromes. For example, in 2012, a case of a pair of mirrored twins with Kabuki syndrome was described. It is characterized by growth retardation, mental retardation, microcephaly, and dysmorphic facial features. In the case of these two, they had cleft lip and palatebut all exactly on the opposite side of the face.

This can even happen with finger accessories. That is, two brothers are born with an extra finger, but only on the opposite side of the body. In 2021, such a case was described in two sisters who had an extra toe, one on the left foot, the other on the right.

It was also described in a 1993 study that mirror twins could be psychological opposites. That is, they could have, for example, opposing professional interests or different sexual orientations. However, today it is not as studied as these are the factors in which environment after birth can greatly influence.

Theories about its origin

It has been calculated that the phenomenon of mirror twins can occur in 25% birth of twins. With him, it is shown that the twins may not be as identical as they seem. In addition, because may be associated with certain diseasescan also help to understand how they arise.

This makes it very important to study its origin. However, it is still not known exactly what gives rise to some of the siblings who turn out to be mirror twins. There are several hypotheses. For example, it is thought that this may be related to epigenetics. This is the discipline that studies changes in gene expression that do not affect DNA sequence.

To better understand this, we must remember that our genetic material, which is unique for each person but the same for twins, is similar to our instruction. It contains everything necessary for our body to function properly, as well as orders that indicate how we feel. But not all of these instructions are used. If we look at the manual for the washing machine, we see that there are parts in it that we will never read. For example, it can tell you what to do if it doesn’t spin. But if you always rotate correctly, you won’t need to read this part.

The same thing happens with our genes. Our DNA contains information that cannot be read. In addition, although all cells have the same genetic materialnot everyone reads the same genes. What does the eye cell want to use the instructions for producing insulin? It’s something with the pancreas.

When a gene is used, either because it is needed in certain circumstances or because we are in a cell that needs it, we are talking about gene expression. It turns on or off as needed. But there may be some changes due to the environment that modify the expression of genes by placing certain molecules on them, but not changing the sequence. This affects many levels. For example, it is believed that going through a period of high stress, such as war, can lead to epigenetic changes it would even be passed on to offspring.

It is possible that epigenetics has some connection with the development of mirror twins. But there are other hypotheses as well. For example, in the process of fertilization, the zygote divides somewhat later than usual. Thus, as explained by Dr. Lynn Poston in an article for health linethat division would occur at a time when the genes that determine the left or right side of the embryo are already activated.

Be that as it may, this phenomenon deserves further study. Meanwhile, one in four sets of twins will still feel like they’re looking in a mirror when they meet their siblings. Literally.