Scientists in Barcelona have been investigating the urban myth that “everyone has a double”. And they have come to a conclusion from science that no kinship relationship is required to have a doppelganger anywhere in the world.
The researchers who conducted the study are part of the Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute in Badalona. They were led by Manel Estelleror, Professor of Genetics and Director of the Institute.
The study was presented by the scientific journal Cell Reports.
The biological explanation only indicates that having a “twin” is part of the genetic coincidence.
We all have a double: “look-alike” in English or “doppelgänger” in German.
Manel Esteller indicated that this study was carried out by collecting biological material from extremely similar individuals to determine an objective reason for their similarity.
They took samples of people with a high degree of resemblance and then subjected them to facial recognition programs aimed at discovering pairs of individuals with a high degree of resemblance to each other.
They then proceeded to analyze three aspects:
- The DNA sequence (genome).
- Epigenetic profile (genome regulation mechanisms).
- The microbial composition (microbiome) of the volunteers.
As a result, they were able to discover that human doppelgangers share similar DNA variations, particularly in genes involved in the formation of the forehead, mouth, nose, eyes and chin.
Esteller also indicated that the similarities in the people studied go beyond the face. The similarities were in their facial features, as well as in weight, height, character and behavior.
