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Do Monozygotic Twins Have Higher Genetic Quality than Dizygotic Twins and Singletons? Hints from Attractiveness Ratings and Self-Reported Health

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Abstract

Evolutionary theories generally concur that sexual reproduction and genetic recombination evolved to maximize genetic variability. Thus, the existence of monozygotic (MZ) twins, which do not take advantage of genetic recombination for each offspring, poses a puzzle. Evolutionary logic of inclusive fitness suggests that parents with high-quality genes may be more likely to produce MZ twins. Analyses of data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health show that MZ twins were significantly more physically attractive and healthier than dizygotic (DZ) twins and singletons. These results suggest that MZ twins may possess higher-quality genes than DZ twins and singletons, and support one of the first evolutionary theories of MZ twinning that specifies its ultimate functions.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Typhaine Christiaen, Scott Forbes, and David Haig for their comments on earlier drafts.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Management, London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London, WC2A 2AE, UK

    Satoshi Kanazawa

  2. Department of Psychology, California State University-Fullerton, Fullerton, USA

    Nancy L. Segal

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  1. Satoshi Kanazawa
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  2. Nancy L. Segal
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Correspondence to Satoshi Kanazawa.

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Kanazawa, S., Segal, N.L. Do Monozygotic Twins Have Higher Genetic Quality than Dizygotic Twins and Singletons? Hints from Attractiveness Ratings and Self-Reported Health. Evol Biol 46, 164–169 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11692-019-09470-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11692-019-09470-0

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