Esteller’s conclusion was that—while their epigenomes and microbiomes were completely different—unrelated lookalikes do in fact share distinct parts of their genetic makeup. He explained that the genetic sequences which control features such as bone structure, skin pigmentation, and water retention, all affect the way a human face looks. On the human genome, these sequences include polymorphic sites, in which a single base pair of DNA features different variants throughout the population—and the lookalikes shared the same variations.
Genetic comparisons ensured that the “ultra-look-alikes” studied were not actually related, and that their similarities in appearance and genome were purely coincidental. Ultimately, Esteller points out, there are only so many ways to put a human face together.
“There are so many people in the world right now, that eventually, people that share a higher number of [genetic] variants are expected,” he explained.
By proving that people who resemble each other share certain genes, Esteller hopes to advance diagnostic science by using facial recognition to make earlier diagnoses of rare genetic diseases in children.
The genetic basis of personalities
Another scientist who used Brunelle’s photo project as the basis for a scientific investigation was Nancy Segal, a professor of psychology at the University of California Fullerton, where she is the director and founder of the Twin Study Center. Her research mainly focuses on twins, but when she learned of Brunelle’s project, she saw an opportunity to settle a small but vocal scientific debate.
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