• Question: Is there a chance of two people having no relation to have the same DNA?

    Asked by charlie98766 to Jemma, John, Lisa, Sam on 28 May 2012.
    • Photo: Lisa Fitzgerald

      Lisa Fitzgerald answered on 28 May 2012:

      Hi charlie98766, the chances of any two people in the world having the exact same DNA sequence purely by chance is so low it is impossible. Even identical twins, which have the same DNA when the fertilised egg first splits will show minor variations due to natural mutation which occur as the bodies cells replicate. Interestingly a person who receives a bone marrow transplant or something similar will then have the donors DNA in their blood. If tested they may appear to have the same DNA but this is an artificial error. Lisa.

    • Photo: Jemma Ransom

      Jemma Ransom answered on 28 May 2012:

      Hi @charlie98766,

      This would be extremely improbable. Yur genes are affected by your experience during life for instance so even if you had identical genetic make-up at birth (for example identical twins) this would quickly be manipulated by the individuals experience of the world around them.

      Jemma

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