# Twins separated at birth unknowingly marry each other **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 11, 2008, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twins-separated-at-birth-unknowingly-marry-each-other/433180 "2008-01-11T20:55:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2008, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twins-separated-at-birth-unknowingly-marry-each-other/433180/1 "2008-01-11T20:55:16Z")
:eek: [Weird](http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23431996-details/Twins+separated+at+birth+marry+each+other+WITHOUT+knowing+they+are+brother+and+sister/article.do) ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2008, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twins-separated-at-birth-unknowingly-marry-each-other/433180/2 "2008-01-11T21:03:43Z")
Identical? ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2008, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twins-separated-at-birth-unknowingly-marry-each-other/433180/3 "2008-01-11T21:06:57Z")
[QUOTE=ArchiveGuy] :eek: [Weird](http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23431996-details/Twins+separated+at+birth+marry+each+other+WITHOUT+knowing+they+are+brother+and+sister/article.do) [/QUOTE] > [@](#): > > When the unnamed couple realised the shocking truth about their relationship, they had their marriage annulled at a secret High Court hearing. A judge ruled the union was legally invalid. > > The couple’s plight was revealed by the former Liberal Democrat MP Lord Alton, who is fighting for children to have greater rights to know the identity of their biological parents. So, we’ve got an unnamed couple in a secret court hearing with an anonymous judge, and an MP who just happens to be sponsoring a bill that relates to this very issue. I smell a load of bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2008, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twins-separated-at-birth-unknowingly-marry-each-other/433180/4 "2008-01-11T21:13:47Z")
[QUOTE=friedo] So, we’ve got an unnamed couple in a secret court hearing with an anonymous judge, [/QUOTE] In all fairness, can you imagine the fallout if any of this information about these two people were leaked? I can completely understand why it would be couched in the utmost of secrecy. And it makes perfect sense that an MP might want to exploit a highly sensational case to further his own legislative ends. Not saying you’re wrong, but it certainly doesn’t automaticaly defy credulity. ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2008, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twins-separated-at-birth-unknowingly-marry-each-other/433180/5 "2008-01-11T21:20:23Z")
> [@therapist in the article](#): > > “This is a terrible trauma for them. They lost each other as babies and now they have lost each other again. They have been bereaved twice.” Yes, losing their twin was so traumatic for these babies that they didn’t even find out they had a twin until they reached adulthood! ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2008, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twins-separated-at-birth-unknowingly-marry-each-other/433180/6 "2008-01-11T21:20:35Z")
If there was no genetic problem for the hypothetical children of these two people, why shouldn’t they have the choice to remain married, if they wanted to? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2008, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twins-separated-at-birth-unknowingly-marry-each-other/433180/7 "2008-01-11T21:31:48Z")
[QUOTE=friedo] So, we’ve got an unnamed couple in a secret court hearing with an anonymous judge, and an MP who just happens to be sponsoring a bill that relates to this very issue. I smell a load of bullshit. [/QUOTE] You know, it’s funny - I read a different article on this topic this afternoon and didn’t consider that possibility, but I did when I read the one in the OP. I’m all for greater access to adoption information, I don’t think it’s right to keep it from kids who want to know. But the idea that Britain needs to change its laws to prevent separated siblings from marrying each other? How often is THAT going to happen? It’s a silly reason for the law and since there are no supporting details, it makes me doubt that any of it happened. If it is true, I’m sorry for the twins. Not just because their family reunions are going to be really awkward from now on. ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2008, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twins-separated-at-birth-unknowingly-marry-each-other/433180/8 "2008-01-11T21:55:41Z")
[QUOTE=tdn] Identical? [/QUOTE] Let’s think about this for a moment. ---
**Author:** ![DJ\_Motorbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90ced4/32.png) [@DJ\_Motorbike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DJ_Motorbike)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2008, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twins-separated-at-birth-unknowingly-marry-each-other/433180/9 "2008-01-11T22:26:53Z")
Wouldn’t it have rang a bell knowing that they were born on the same day? I would also assume that they both would have been aware that they had been adopted at birth. This is strange if true. A real life Luke and Leia. ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2008, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twins-separated-at-birth-unknowingly-marry-each-other/433180/10 "2008-01-11T22:33:12Z")
[QUOTE=DJ Motorbike] Wouldn’t it have rang a bell knowing that they were born on the same day? I would also assume that they both would have been aware that they had been adopted at birth. [/QUOTE] It’s quite a leap to go from (born on the same day) + (adopted) = we’re twins!, though. They probably just thought, “Cool, we have the same birthday and we’re both adopted. It must be destiny!” ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2008, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twins-separated-at-birth-unknowingly-marry-each-other/433180/11 "2008-01-11T22:42:28Z")
[QUOTE=Sunspace] If there was no genetic problem for the hypothetical children of these two people, why shouldn’t they have the choice to remain married, if they wanted to? [/QUOTE] I agree. And even if there _were_ a genetic problem - that’s no bigger dilemma or deal than some unrelated couples face - for example, those who know they’re carrying some recessive defect. They’re not brother and sister in any way meaningfully relevant to their relationship. That said, it may have been their explicit choice to have the marriage annulled. ---
**Author:** ![bubble\_pop\_electric](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecae2f/32.png) [@bubble\_pop\_electric](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bubble_pop_electric)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2008, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twins-separated-at-birth-unknowingly-marry-each-other/433180/12 "2008-01-11T22:46:18Z")
[QUOTE=treis] Let’s think about this for a moment. [/QUOTE] Whooooooosh. ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2008, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twins-separated-at-birth-unknowingly-marry-each-other/433180/13 "2008-01-11T22:54:31Z")
[QUOTE=treis] Let’s think about this for a moment. [/QUOTE] You’re right, they never should have allowed same-sex marriage! :smack: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2008, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twins-separated-at-birth-unknowingly-marry-each-other/433180/14 "2008-01-11T23:02:36Z")
[QUOTE=Sunspace] If there was no genetic problem for the hypothetical children of these two people, why shouldn’t they have the choice to remain married, if they wanted to? [/QUOTE] They should be able to, morally if not legally, regardless of genetic problems, just so long as they avoid having children ( no children, no genetic issues, obviously ). But if they do choose to have children, our technology simply isn’t good enough to tell them with any reliability that they are safe. And even more important, genetic therapy technology is still in it’s infancy, so we can’t correct any genetic defects that slip through any tests. And if we find out that the kid has a fatal defect at say 13, it’s rather too late for an abortion. ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2008, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twins-separated-at-birth-unknowingly-marry-each-other/433180/15 "2008-01-11T23:04:55Z")
[QUOTE=tdn] Identical? [/QUOTE] Siamese. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2008, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twins-separated-at-birth-unknowingly-marry-each-other/433180/16 "2008-01-11T23:06:26Z")
i’m a bit surprized they felt they needed to end the marriage. there have been cases of adopted separatly siblings marrying, who stayed married. every now and then it will hit the news. don’t remember twins though. shades of star wars. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2008, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twins-separated-at-birth-unknowingly-marry-each-other/433180/17 "2008-01-11T23:11:30Z")
[QUOTE=jackelope] Siamese. [/QUOTE] That’s nice. However, their evident lack of intelligence in not noticing that suggest to me that they shouldn’t procreate at all. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2008, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twins-separated-at-birth-unknowingly-marry-each-other/433180/18 "2008-01-11T23:16:28Z")
[QUOTE=Marley23] But the idea that Britain needs to change its laws to prevent separated siblings from marrying each other? How often is THAT going to happen? It’s a silly reason for the law and since there are no supporting details, it makes me doubt that any of it happened. [/QUOTE] If you actually read the article: > [@](#): > > The couple’s plight was revealed by the former Liberal Democrat MP Lord Alton, **who is fighting for children to have greater rights to know the identity of their biological parents**. The possible change in the law being debated is the wider issue of the rights of adopted children to know the identity their blood relatives. Not a specific one dealing with sibling marriages. And as for there being ‘no supporting details’, why should there be? The MP was merely using this as one anecdotal example during a debate in the Lords and probably did not have any idea it would become a news story in its own right. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2008, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twins-separated-at-birth-unknowingly-marry-each-other/433180/19 "2008-01-11T23:30:18Z")
Instead of annullment of the marriage, couldn’t they just have moved to Norfolk? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2008, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twins-separated-at-birth-unknowingly-marry-each-other/433180/20 "2008-01-11T23:58:46Z")
[QUOTE=GorillaMan] If you actually read the article: The possible change in the law being debated is the wider issue of the rights of adopted children to know the identity their blood relatives. Not a specific one dealing with sibling marriages. [/quote] Ahem: > [@Me](#): > > I’m all for greater access to adoption information, I don’t think it’s right to keep it from kids who want to know. I read that article, and said so in my post. And I also read another story on the same subject earlier today. The law should be changed so everyone can get the information on their bio parents if they choose to. My point is that a story of two people marrying and find out that they are twins (assuming it’s true) is such a freak occurrence that it’s not a good argument for changing this law. Denying people this information has real consequences, but this consequence is vanishingly unlikely. It’s like saying we should have a space program because if we send a space shuttle into orbit, a gigantic meteor might hit it and bounce harmlessly away instead of destroying the world. The cause is good, the argument is silly. You’ve got Alton talking about this situation like it’s happening every day: > [@](#): > > The Government has drawn up legislation that will deny you this knowledge until you are 18. But you could be married by then, or have fallen in love with someone. > > "This will lead to these heartbreaking situations. > > "If you start trying to conceal someone’s identity, sooner or later the truth will out. > > “And if you don’t know you are biologically related to someone, you may become attracted to them and tragedies like this may occur.” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twins-separated-at-birth-unknowingly-marry-each-other/433180.md?page=2)