The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Country’s first twin registry launched

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 23, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Country’s first twin registry launched

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: India’s first twin registry was launched in Chennai at the Tamil Nadu Dr.MGR Medical University on Monday. To begin with, the medical history (stretching up to three generations) of 20 twins, has been recorded, while over 100 other pairs have already been registered.

Vice-Chancellor Meer Mustafa Hussain said all twins within the Chennai Corporation limits would be part of the registry. In addition to recording births in the Corporation and government hospitals, the varsity would also encourage adults to register themselves.

“We will have documented statistical evidence for the first time in the country. The information can be used to study the role of genes and the environment in certain diseases and conditions,” he added. The results of such studies will be generally applicable to the wider community and thereby, result in the improved health and well-being of the population.

Dr.Hussain also signed a memorandum of understanding with Athula Sumathipala, director, Sri Lankan Twin Registry, for collaboration in setting up the Chennai registry. The Sri Lankan Twin Registry has developed over the past 10 years and was a role model for developing countries.

They have been funded by the Welcome Trust, UK and supported by King’s College, London. Dr.Sumathipala also promised to help the Chennai project with finding funding agencies.

Chennai Mayor M.Subramaniam, who formally launched the Registry by handing over certificates to some pairs of twins, said there were 93 Corporation Welfare Centres and two 24-hour delivery centres in the Corporation limit. Children who come to these centres will automatically be enrolled in the twin register. He also encouraged other pairs of twins not covered by the Corporation’s health facility to sign up with the registry.

Making a presentation, Dr.Sumathipala said monozygotic or identical twins share all genes, but dizygotic or fraternal twins share only 50 per cent of the genes.

Prema Lakshminarayana, Head, Department of Medical Genetics, said the twins who came forward to be part of the registry would be physically examined. Clinical examinations (HLA typing, DNA and blood tests) will follow. The information will then be available for those eager to conduct research with such baseline data.

She added that once the twins register, they are assured full medical help, preventive checks and counselling regularly. Contributions from corporates and other funding organisations would be welcome, she said.

Priya Kannan, lecturer, Department of Medical Genetics, said the varsity was hoping to put the information online at a later stage in the project.

This will provide a valuable database, with the full complement of clinical details, available to researchers depending on their project’s requirements.

Twins who wish to be part of the registry may call 22301825 or mail mmumedgen@yahoo.com.

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