Twins as a natural test of chronogenetics.

Abstract

Monozygotic twins are the best witnesses of the existence of a hereditary biological time, because they would not be identical if they had not also inherited the times of appearance and duration of their common hereditary information. The authors gave the name "chronogenetics" to this branch of genetics which concerns the temporal dimension of the gene and the mechanisms of transmission and manifestation of the temporal characteristics. The "Ergon/Chronon System" is suggested as a model to explain chronological heredity in terms of molecular genetics. An example is offered of a chronogenetic analysis of puberty based on the study of puberty times in 157 female and 154 male twin pairs. This shows the hereditary conditioning of numerous chronogenetic parameters, the extrapolation of conclusions concerning the phenomenon of puberty, and the establishment, in this regard, of a borderline between hereditary and physical times. A picture is finally drawn exemplifying Normal Hereditary Times (gametic, auxologic, homeostatic, and old-age recession times) and Pathological Hereditary Times (auxologic, cardiovascular, neoplastic, immunitary, metabolic, and antitoxic pathology times). Provisional chronogenetic developments are indicated, and a possible advancement toward the recycling of the gene is hoped for.