Black White Twins Show Rare Genetic Possibilities

For those who do not believe genes can do outrageous things.

"While very rare, the phenomenon is not unknown, though it does entail a very particular combination of circumstances at the moment of conception. First, both parents must be of mixed race. Second, the twins must be fraternal (each conceived from a separate egg fertilized by separate sperm) as opposed to identical (both conceived from a single egg and sperm). Third, each sperm and egg must carry the genes for a particular skin color (i.e., black/black or white/white)."

In the case of the males pictured, the Caribbean father assuredly carried some European genes that recombined, in rare fashion, with the white mother.

For those interested, here is a technical genetic explanation of what is going on (here).

James C. Collier

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