Filed by KOSU News in Science.
January 2, 2012

Almost 150 years ago, English scientist Francis Galton coined the phrase “nature versus nurture” — and proposed that research on twins could resolve the debate.

Genetics have long seemed to weigh heavily in favor of the role of nature in shaping the people we become. But even identical twins are different to varying degrees, and some researchers believe those differences suggest a third influence at work, called epigenetics.

Peter Miller of National Geographic Magazine wrote the magazine’s January cover story, “A Thing or Two About Twins.” Miller explains how scientists are expanding the field of epigenetics with research on twins. [Copyright 2012 National Public Radio]