• Question: Is it possible to have a set of twins who are different skin tones but both parents are white? Does it have anything to do with DNA and Genetics?

    Asked by 798genp37 to Remsha on 7 Nov 2018.
    • Photo: Remsha Afzal

      Remsha Afzal answered on 7 Nov 2018: last edited 7 Nov 2018 11:09 am

      Multiple genes control skin color so if the parents have recent mixed ancestry (even if they themselves appear white skinned), then yes it is possible that their twins can have different skin tones. If a parent is of mixed race, their eggs or sperm will contain a mixture of genetic codes for both black and white skin.
      It also depends on the type of twins born. If they are non-identical twins the chances are quite higher that they can end up with a different skin tone than if they were identical. So far, I know of one case reported in the UK where parents of mixed race ancestry had identical twins who had different skin tones, but this is very very very rare.

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