Gina and Tina are identical twins.Gina has experienced a series of traumas and has been diagnosed with schizophrenia.Tina is demonstrating no symptoms of schizophrenia.Because schizophrenia tends to run in families,the difference between the twins can be explained through

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Epigenetics refers to the study of changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype that result from mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence. In the case of Gina and Tina, their identical DNA suggests that if schizophrenia is hereditary, then both twins should have it. The fact that Gina has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and Tina hasn't suggests that environmental factors, such as the impact of different life experiences and exposure to different stressors, have played a role in the development of the disorder. This supports the idea that epigenetic changes – such as the chemical modification of DNA that can occur in response to environmental triggers – may help to explain the differences between the twins.

Gina and Tina Are Identical Twins