A New Type of Twins Is Discovered: Semi-Identical Twins
April 3, 2007
The Journal of Human Genetics recently reported on a rare type of twins, who have been dubbed “semi-identical twins.” In this case, a single egg was fertilized by two sperm simultaneously, and then the egg split into twins. One of the twins was born as a “true hermaphrodite,” which means that the child had both ovarian and testicular tissue. (She’s being raised as a female.) The other child is a male. Both children are otherwise normal mentally and physically, and are now three years old.
This condition differs from “polar body twins,” which occurs when a single egg splits, and then each egg is fertilized by two different sperm. This is not the same as “semi-identical twinning” (described above), in which fertilization occurs before the egg splits.
About the Author
Susan M. Heim is a writer and editor, specializing in multiples, parenting, women’s and Christian issues. A former Senior Editor for Health Communications, Inc., she specialized in the bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul series, as well as teen, religion and other self-help books. Susan is the author of Oh, Baby! 7 Ways a Baby Will Change Your Life the First Year, Twice the Love: Stories of Inspiration for Families…with Twins, Multiples and Singletons, and It’s Twins! Parent-to-Parent Advice from Infancy Through Adolescence. Susan's articles and essays have appeared in many books, magazines and Web sites. In addition to her own projects, Susan enjoys developing proposals and manuscripts with many high-profile authors. She is a member of the National Association of Women Writers and the Southeastern Writers Association, and has a degree in Business Administration from Michigan State University. Susan lives with her husband and four sons in south Florida.
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