23 replies to this topic

[SOAP]

Lately I've been obsessed with the idea of body doubles and such. Is it possible for two people, totally unrelated to each other (or at least not fraternally) to look exactly the same and even have the same genetic makeup? Like identical twins, only born of from two different mothers in different parts of of the world. DNA is basically a sequence of data formed in a certian pattern that determines how cells form. In that case, wouldn't it possible nature sometimes spits out the same exact pattern twice at the same time? Is it possible that it does this all the time, and we're just not aware of it? It very possible that it may happen at different points of time, many years apart, which is why some people look like their own ancestors or famous historical figures. But could two versions of the same person appaer at the same time and what happens if they should meet? Is there really a double for everyone?

[Showsni]

I'd say it's possible but ridiculously unlikey.

[SOAP]

Unlikely that two unrelated people born with the same genes would exist at the same time or unlikely that they'd ever meet? Cos I swear I saw a guy who looked just like me on a porn site once...

Edited by SOAP, 12 July 2007 - 07:30 PM.

[CID Farwin]

You just had to say that SOAP, Didn't you. I'll spare everyone the immense library of jokes you've just opened yourself up to.

Anyway,
It might be possible, but it's at least trillions-to-one odds.

Am I the only one reminded of Joey's Identical hand-twin on Friends? and anyway what about cloning?

[SOAP]

You just had to say that SOAP, Didn't you. I'll spare everyone the immense library of jokes you've just opened yourself up to.

Anyway,
It might be possible, but it's at least trillions-to-one odds.

Am I the only one reminded of Joey's Identical hand-twin on Friends? and anyway what about cloning?

I'm referring identical copies of the same person that occur in nature that aren't born from the same mother.

Actually I think I have an identical twin cousin on my dad's side but I'm not sure since we don't associate with his side of the family anymore.

Edited by SOAP, 12 July 2007 - 08:26 PM.

[CID Farwin]

I'm referring identical copies of the same person that occur in nature that aren't born from the same mother.

I gathered as much; I was trying to be funny.

[SOAP]

I'm referring identical copies of the same person that occur in nature that aren't born from the same mother.

I gathered as much; I was trying to be funny.

The hand thing was funny. I remember that episode.

[Keen]

People can look much alike, nigh identical, without actually having identical genes. Heck, people with the same genes can look totally different.

[CID Farwin]

How about that? I just found a guy that looks just like me! he's right over....oh wait, that's a mirror.

[wisp]

Interesting thought. I wonder if there's any real research out there on the internets...

[vodkamaru]

Maybe not on earth, but somewhere in the universe I'm sure there's an exact copy of you.

[CID Farwin]

Maybe not on earth, but somewhere in the universe I'm sure there's an exact copy of you.

Now that's possible, of course that's if it's even possible.

[Jumbie]

They always say that no two people can ever have an identic fingerprint. So I figure it's the same for the genetic fingerprint.

There are just too many combinatory possibilities for DNA, so probably the exact same code won't occur twice.
Also, people's DNA necessarily resembles their ancestors' DNA to some extent, so that outside of one family's line it's even more unlikely to happen. And inside one family's line, I think it won't happen because of the many possible combinations.

[Renegade]

ok well i used to live in NY and then i moved to TN and thats when i entered high school well when i was in the eighth grade this guy (for the sake of not mentioning names) was a senior...well the next year when i was in high school i was talking to my friends and then some girl taps me on the shoulder saying "*insert guys name here* what are you doing here at school?"

i turned around and said,"excuse me, but who are you?"

"OMG!!, im soo srry thought you were my stepbrother"

"uhhh, no and its ok people make mistakes"

later in the evening i saw a picture and i thought to myself who has a picture of me here (being as i was still new to the school) and i asked the person how they got the picture and they said they took it of *insert name here* and the next day i met the guy and hung out with him...then i became good friends with him and i stayed at his house...now the sad thing was that his parrents couldent tell us apart. O.o

[GuardianNinja]

OMG LMAO^^^ thats so funny

[CID Farwin]

This just reminded me. Apparently there's a painting in a Scottish castle that looks just like my dad. My family has Scottish heritage, so my grandparents went there.

[GuardianNinja]

What do you mean?

[Keen]

They always say that no two people can ever have an identic fingerprint. So I figure it's the same for the genetic fingerprint.

There are just too many combinatory possibilities for DNA, so probably the exact same code won't occur twice.
Also, people's DNA necessarily resembles their ancestors' DNA to some extent, so that outside of one family's line it's even more unlikely to happen. And inside one family's line, I think it won't happen because of the many possible combinations.

Nah, fingerprints are exclusively determined by random phenomena, whereas random effects are much less likely to alter DNA. Also consider that most human DNA is identical with the DNA of all other humans, about 99.9% if I remember correctly.

[SOAP]

People can look much alike, nigh identical, without actually having identical genes. Heck, people with the same genes can look totally different.

You may be right. I never considered that.

They always say that no two people can ever have an identic fingerprint. So I figure it's the same for the genetic fingerprint.

There are just too many combinatory possibilities for DNA, so probably the exact same code won't occur twice.
Also, people's DNA necessarily resembles their ancestors' DNA to some extent, so that outside of one family's line it's even more unlikely to happen. And inside one family's line, I think it won't happen because of the many possible combinations.

Nah, fingerprints are exclusively determined by random phenomena, whereas random effects are much less likely to alter DNA. Also consider that most human DNA is identical with the DNA of all other humans, about 99.9% if I remember correctly.

So there may a chance that one 1% can repeat more than once, producing two exact copies of the same person?

[Wolf O'Donnell]

As "Lord of Drek" already said, people who share the same genes do not necessarily share the same looks. Sharing the same genes means nothing, if they're not being expressed the same way. I mean, I share the exact same Pax3 genes as you, but that means nothing because it's only concerned with the development of muscle in early embryogenesis (as far as I can tell).

There is no chance that 100% of all DNA will be identical to that of another person, because let us not forget that your DNA also includes the stuff that codes for your antibodies. Antibodies are highly variable and highly susceptible to mutation. They have to be, if they're to "evolve" to tackle the nasty "germs" that enter your body. But no one person will be infected with the exact same concentration or type of germs in their entire life. Furthermore, as this DNA is highly susceptible to mutation, which is random, you will not be able to ensure that your clone undergoes the same mutations.

[SOAP]

Yeah I figured that theory wouldn't fly. I guess there can be look-a-likes but it wouldn't have anything to do with DNA.

[Keen]

Wolf. Rock on. I wish I could be that accurate.

[Wolf O'Donnell]

Wolf. Rock on. I wish I could be that accurate.

But you were. That you didn't talk about antibodies is irrelevant.

[Picman]

I believe in Doppelgangers becase I believe in the astral self, infinite realities, and the "if you can imagine it, it exists" rule. So yeah, I believe in them. And by the way, I believe in good doppelgangers as well as evil ones, because I believe in at least one higher self. That's why I put a "happy face" emoticon!