| FACTS |
- There are 2 basic types of twins: Identical (result when a single egg splits) and Fraternal.
- Multiple births are the most common in African American cultures. Multiple births are least common in Asian cultures.
- In the United States, over 150 identical twins are married to identical twins. Genetically their children are brother and sister, but legally their children are cousins.
- The scientific study of twins is called gemellology.
- Studies have shown that identical twins tend to live longer than fraternal twins; researchers believe this is due to their close communication.
- Identical twinning is not considered hereditary because the rate appears to be random.
- Fraternal twinning is considered hereditary because if you, your mother, or your mother's mother is a fraternal twin, then your chances of having fraternal twins are as high as 1 in 17 births. If you are a mother of fraternal twins, your chances to have another set of fraternal twins are 1 in 12 births.
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