Twin studies always grab the attention of social and medical scientists. This story about "virtual twins," siblings whose parents adopted one and biologically bore one within a 9-month window, fascinates me because of what is says about adoption.
“I expected the virtual twins to be more alike than they were because they had been raised together all their lives,” said Dr. Segal, who has also studied hundreds of pairs of fraternal and identical twins, including dozens reared apart. “Yet they were so much less alike. It gives us another piece of evidence in the whole nature-versus-nurture puzzle.”
For several generations, well into the 1970s, families who adopted children tried to "pass" the child as biological, whether by matching physical features or withholding facts about the adoption. Now, many families celebrate adoption, especially cross-racial or cross-cultural adoptions.
Yet, adoption entails many complex issues, which some families don't fully appreciate until the adoptive relationship has matured.
Obviously, adoption is a much BIGGER issue than I can address here, but check back for further reflections or related stories. Or better yet, share your comments too.
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