10 Questions
What term is used to describe a human being composed of cells that are genetically distinct?
Chimera
How did Lydia Fairchild become the biological aunt of her own children?
By absorbing her twin zygote before birth
What percentage of twin pregnancies are estimated to involve a vanishing twin?
36%
How do most twins likely disappear in cases of natural chimerism?
They vanish without a trace
What is the primary reason why individuals may not be aware of their genetic twin presence?
The lost sibling's genetic presence is usually not revealed unless by chance
What is the main focus of the text regarding human chimeras?
The philosophical implications of human chimeras
Which statement best describes the distinction between human chimeras and conjoined twins?
Conjoined twins have the same genetic cell line.
Why do the journalistic headlines about Fairchild's case challenge a standard presumption of modern Western culture?
Because they question the one-person-per-body assumption.
What aspect distinguishes personhood from merely having a particular type of genetic material according to the text?
Structural organization of genetic material
How does the example of conjoined twins challenge the assumption about bodies correlating one-to-one with people?
By illustrating that conjoined twins develop different personalities despite sharing a body.
Discover the fascinating story of Lydia Fairchild, a woman who almost lost custody of her children due to being a human chimera. Learn about the unique genetic phenomenon and its implications in biology and society.
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