The University of Southampton

Twins always win

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ERIN LOVELY

TWINS ALWAYS WIN

Sourcing cells can come for four different origins: a human donor (allogenic cells), a donor from oneself (autogenic cells), from an animal (xenogeneic cells), and from an identical twin (syngeneic cells).

Unfortunately, under 0.3% of the population have the luxury of obtaining syngeneic cells. Not only do you have to be born a twin, fight for survival against your sibling in the womb and survive the inevitable premature birth (well, a 50-60% chance) – you have to be identical. However, if you are lucky enough to be within the 0.3%, here are some of the benefits: Syngeneic stem cell transplants are the simplest source of stem cells available at present. The Syngeneic transplant offers little risk of rejection and the immune system rapidly recovers. Almost half of organ transplants between twins require no immunosuppressant drugs.

How far can the use of Syngeneic cells go? … so far extensive proof of successful uses of bone marrow/stem cell transplants and organ transplants can be found.

(Examples of successes in surgery due to the patients being twins below.)

EXAMPLES OF SUCESS

KIDNEY TRANSPLANTS

The Herrick Twins
23rd of December, 1954, Murray performing the first ever successful human organ transplant
The first successful kidney transplant

The story of the first successful human organ transplant took place between identical twins (top left). Extensive tests were carried out on the twins to ensure the success of the operation. However, the risks of the procedure were not the only issue faced by surgeon, Joseph Murray. Murray described the ethical dilemma they faced, in acquiring the kidney from a healthy person. Ronald Herrick (donor) risked his life, for no benefit of his own, except saving his beloved brother, Richard (patient).

EXAMPLES OF SUCCESS

OVARY TRANSPLANT

Ovary transplant from identical twin reverses early menopause and results in successful birth. Three months after the ovary transplant the twin sister gained her period back after 10 years, and three months after that, she fell pregnant. The conception and birth of the baby were completely natural.

Illustration of ovary from ovarian transplant

Many identical twins have now received ovary transplants. All the successful transplants aid in the conclusion that ovarian transplants restore ovary function completely.

TWINS ALWAYS WIN

CONCLUSIONS

Its impossible to imagine a world where everyone has an identical twin, but, just for a second, lets imagine we do… How many problems it would solve; no waitlists for organ transplant, more reliable infertility solutions, more readily available stem cells from bone marrow and, all ethical issues pushed to the side in the name of love.

How do we bridge the gap between organ transplant sucess rate in identical twins and everyone else ? I think an advancement in immunosuppressant drugs would help bridge to gap between identical twins and everyone else. If there was a more effective immunosuppressant drug available to those under going organ transplants, the success rate would increase and the risk would decrease.

Hopefully in the future we will have scientific advancements that achieve this, but for now, its better to be a twin.

One thought on “Twins always win”

  1. There is a good use of multimedia in this blog. However, there could be more reflection: why is this of interest to you? What have you learned while researching this? What are your thoughts and opinions on the topic? Additionally, you may want to consider are more critical analysis. Maybe compare and contrast the origins of sourcing cells. Identical twin have the advantage but is only available to a very small fraction of the population.

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