BODYWATCH: TWIN REFLECTIONS (TV)
Summary
One in this series of educational programs hosted by Dr. James H. "Red" Duke. This edition, which focuses on studies being done about twins, begins at the University of Minnesota twin study, where Margaret and Caroline Shand are one of the eighty-three sets of identical twins who are undergoing a six-day program of comprehensive medical and psychological assessment. The Shands were separated as infants and lived apart for sixty-two years before being reunited. Nancy Segal, Ph.D., and Thomas Bouchard, Ph.D., of the Minnesota twin study, outline the types of testing being done, and explain that studying identical twins who have been raised together and those who have been separated helps to ascertain whether a person is more affected by environment or genetics. Next, Dr. Duke explains the differences between identical and fraternal twins, using a model to show the two types of fertilization.
Dr. Duke also looks at the following studies which use twins to examine whether human traits are based on genetic or environmental factors: At the Louisville twin study Ronald Wilson, M.D., is conducting a long term evaluation of temperament in twins, beginning at birth and following them through infancy; the twin study at the Medical College of Virginia is conducting a survey in which hundreds of twins are asked to complete questionnaires in an effort to find out whether emotional disorders such as depression are due to genetic predisposition; Lindon Eaves, professor of human genetics, even suggests studying the spouses of identical and fraternal twins to find out if mate selection is genetic; and some studies have revealed that traits such as athletic ability are due to biological factors, as shown with identical twins Jann Girard and Dian Girard-Rives. Next, T. George Harris, editor-in-chief of Health Magazine, discusses the perceptions of twins throughout Western history. Finally health columnist Dr. Holly Atkinson visits the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, where Stuart Soeldner, M.D., is doing ground-breaking research with identical twins on the early detection of diabetes.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, 1998.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS WGBH Boston, MA
- DATE: February 15, 1988 6:30 AM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:28:57
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:15719
- GENRE: Education/Information
- SUBJECT HEADING: Diabetes; Genetics; Science; Twins
- SERIES RUN: WGBH (Boston, MA) - TV, 1988
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Christopher Gilbert … Executive Producer, Director
- Laurie Donnelly … Senior Producer
- Bob Roche … Associate Producer
- Myriam Barenbaum … Associate Producer
- Andrew P. Jones … Field Producer
- Suzanne Rothschild … Field Producer
- Patricia Sagastume … Field Producer
- Geoff Muldar … Theme Music by
- James H. Duke … Host
- T. George Harris … Commentator
- Holly Atkinson … Reporter
- Thomas Bouchard
- Lindon Eaves
- Dian Girard-Rives
- Jann Girard
- Nancy Segal
- Caroline Shand
- Margaret Shand
- Stuart Soeldner
- Ronald Wilson