Identical twins both named on birth certificate

Identical twin brothers who impersonated each other to their advantage are now paying the price: in this case, child support.

It is alleged that the Brazilian twins, named Fernando and Fabricio, pretended to be each other to trick as many women as possible into sex. When one of their victims fell pregnant and gave birth to a baby girl, the siblings tried to shirk responsibility.

Each brother tried to blame the other, Brazilian news outlet Globo reports. As a consequence, a DNA test was ordered but this came back as inconclusive. Which brother was the baby’s father couldn’t be established because the men are so genetically similar. A typical DNA test performed on identical (or monozygotic) twins will return results with 99.99% similarity. However, DNA from non-identical (fraternal or dizygotic) twins will generally be about 50–75% similar.

The Difference Between Identical and Fraternal Twins

The judge overseeing this case ruled that the twins were denying the innocent child a right to know her biological dad. Consequently, district judge Filipe Luis Peruca, at the Cachoeira Alta Court in the central state of Goias, said both brothers must be included on the girl’s birth certificate.

“It was clear they each used the other’s name, either to attract as many women as possible, or to hide betrayal in their relationship”, the judge concluded.

The ruling forces both men to pay child support maintenance of 30% of the minimum wage ($60) a month. In addition, both of their names will go on the baby’s birth certificate. This means that the little girl, as well as having two fathers documented on her birth certificate, will get twice as much child support as other children from the same economic background.

The judge continued: “One of the brothers, in bad faith, seeks to conceal fatherhood”.

“Given the peculiarities of the case, I believe the decision that most embodies the concept of justice is the one that honors the interests and rights of the child, to the detriment of the tortuous defendants.”

What does an identical twin test entail?

For many twins or families with twins, the only way to know for sure whether they are identical or fraternal is through DNA twin testing (also known as zygosity testing). The test involves analyzing tiny amounts of DNA from inside each sibling’s mouth. Specific markers present in repeat sections of DNA are examined and compared between the tested individuals. Identical siblings will share the same DNA profile whereas non-identical siblings will have different DNA profiles.

An increasing and novel use of an identical twin test is to use the DNA profile to create a unique gift for new parents, their children, and friends and family. The DNA profile can also be made into exclusive artwork. Twin testing costs just $119 online with results in 3–5 days. For more information on Twin testing, please contact AlphaBiolabs via Live Chat or call now at 727-325-2902.

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