Identical twins share the same genetic material and physical characteristics, while fraternal twins share fewer commonalities. Fraternal twins are the result of two separate eggs being fertilized, while identical twins start as one egg and one sperm. Identical twins are rarer and not usually hereditary. Both types of twins should be encouraged to celebrate their individuality.
Fraternal and identical twins have many differences. Identical twins are often described as those children born of a pregnancy who are identical to each other. In reality, more than similarity is involved, and not all identical twins look “completely” alike, even though they share many of the same physical characteristics. As they get older, they will have differences based on lifestyle choices, experiences, and a variety of other factors. Fraternal twins, although they share a uterus, have fewer commonalities, and both types of twins are more identified by how they start life.
More commonly, how twins start life can be termed dizygotic and monozygotic. Dizygotic, or fraternal twins, occur when a woman has two eggs or ova that are fertilized by two separate sperm cells. This can mean that fraternal twins are of different sexes or of the same sex. Although they are siblings, they do not share nearly identical genetic material.
Within each sperm or egg, there is variation in what is inherited and expressed, and these children are similar as siblings, who can be very similar or very different. They may also share a special relationship because they shared a womb. Although these twins are the same age, however, they are usually easily distinguishable from one another, just as it would be simple to distinguish siblings of different ages.
The conception of monozygotic (identical) twins is very different. Instead of two separate eggs being fertilized by two sperms, these twins start out as one egg and one sperm. During the first process in which the fertilized egg begins to produce more cells, it doubles and creates two embryos or two babies, instead of one. Since both babies are produced from the same fertilized egg, they all share nearly the same chromosomes and DNA structure, and will bear a striking resemblance to each other. They are indeed more related than fraternal twins due to their inception.
There are other differences between fraternal and identical twins. Identical twins are much rarer and only 8% of all twins are identical. Also, fraternal twinning can be hereditary, but identical twinning is rarely hereditary and occurs with the same general probability in all populations.
There is a much greater difference in the number of fraternal twins born in various populations, suggesting a degree of inheritance. Fraternal twinning is not always the product of genetics. Multiple births are less common in vegetarian women and much more likely when women undergo fertility treatments to conceive.
No matter how twins start out in life, they will all have differences. Choices in life can have a significant impact on what DNA is expressed. This means that identical twins will evolve along separate paths, although many of them remain very close. Most child development experts believe that both identical and fraternal twins should be encouraged to celebrate their individuality, as viewing them as equal does not give each twin the opportunity to find their own gifts and strengths.
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