Optimization procedures in twin zygosity diagnosis by genetic markers. A cost-effectiveness analysis

More and more genetic markers usable for twin zygosity determination have become available. A relatively small number of markers is sufficient to achieve a satisfactory probability of correctly classifying a twin pair. Previously only the genetic properties of markers have been considered when choosing the markers to be determined. A cost-effectiveness analysis, which considers both genetic properties and relative determination costs of markers, is presented and illustrated with data from the Finnish Twin Registry studies.