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A twin-pronged attack on complex traits

Nature Genetics volume 17, pages 387–392 (1997)Cite this article

Abstract

Before one starts the hunt for quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for a complex trait it is necessary to show that the trait is genetically influenced. This evidence is most likely to come from the classical twin study—the demonstration that monozygotic twins are more similar for the trait than dizygotic twins. The strengths and weaknesses of twin studies are discussed, and it is suggested that, far from becoming irrelevant with advances in molecular biology, they can improve the efficiency of QTL detection and play an important role in unravelling developmental genetic mechanisms

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Queensland Institute of Medical Research, PO Royal Brisbane Hospital, Brisbane, 4029, Australia

    Nicholas Martin

  2. Psychology Department, Free University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Dorret Boomsma

  3. Fetal/Genetic Pathologist, The Permanente Medical Group, Northern California Region, Oakland, California, USA

    Geoffrey Machin

Authors
  1. Nicholas Martin
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  2. Dorret Boomsma
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  3. Geoffrey Machin
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Correspondence to Nicholas Martin.

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Martin, N., Boomsma, D. & Machin, G. A twin-pronged attack on complex traits. Nat Genet 17, 387–392 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/ng1297-387

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