Identical twins originate from the same DNA … so how can they turn out so different? Scientist and researcher, Carlos Guerrero-Bosagna, explains that while nature versus nurture has a lot to do with it, a deeper, related answer can be found within epigenetics.

Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene activity. It is where scientists see how DNA interacts with a multitude of smaller molecules in cells that can activate and deactivate genes. Epigenetic changes can survive cell division.

Environment induced epigenetic changes are the reason twins grow up to be different. Diet, chemical exposure, medication and social experiences can all influence our epigenome, which is the totality of DNA chemical compounds, or essentially our unique individual DNA.

Once we understand how our epigenome influences us, we might be able to influence it too.