The germlines of male monozygotic (MZ) twins: Very similar, but not identical

In 2012, a thought experiment in this journal suggested that paternity cases involving monozygotic (MZ) twins as putative fathers could be solved by means of whole genome sequencing (WGS). Although arising from single fertilization event, MZ nevertheless continue to acquire somatic mutations during their development, including those occur the germline. Provided had been narrowed down twin pair beforehand classical DNA analysis, one post-zygotic mutation would suffice assign paternal compartment an offspring unambiguously either if is found and twin, but not other twin. Since publication proof-of-principle report 2014, we have worked up five additional germline discrimination real life, four disputes criminal case requiring identification sperm trace donor among brothers. opinion paper, on experiences made course our work take look at possibilities for further development approach.