Many of the things that affect our health and cause disease are genetic, while many are also due to our environment. Twin studies help us understand the relative importance of genetic and environmental influences on behavioural characteristics, health and illness.
Twins can help research in a special way that others can’t.
Throughout the world, twins have participated in projects investigating cancer, migraine and headache, anxiety and depression, eczema, asthma, alcohol and tobacco use, ADHD, endometriosis, weight, glaucoma, reading ability and personality differences.
The Queensland Twin Registry (QTwin) was established in 2006 by Professor Nick Martin, Head of the Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory at QIMR Berghofer.
Professor Martin has worked in the field of twin research for more than 30 years. He has published over 1,000 research papers on many aspects of twin research and is the Editor of the International Journal, Twin Research and Human Genetics.
WHAT IS QTWIN?
The QTwin Registry is a population-based registry of identical and non-identical twins of all ages, living in Australia. Membership of QTwin is free.
QTwin would like to hear from all twins – identical and non-identical, male-female twins, as well as same sex twins. Triplets are also eligible to register.
By joining, you are making yourself available to participate in interesting and exciting research projects and be a part of scientific discoveries about health and disease.
Even if you are completely healthy you can still make a contribution by joining QTwin. We need people who aren’t affected by the condition or disease we are researching to provide a healthy comparison group.
REGISTER WITH QTWIN
To be eligible for our research studies both twins must register. Twins under 18 must be registered by one of their parents. If registering via a paper form, a parent signature is required.
REGISTER | ADULT TWINS AND TRIPLETS
After you have registered, you are not obliged to participate in any particular study – participation is completely voluntary. You are free to change your mind and withdraw at any stage without giving any reason and without negative consequences. You have the right to request access to the information about you that is collected and stored by the research team.
When a suitable research study comes up, we will contact you about this new study and invite you to consider participating. Contact will only come from scientific researchers whose research has been carefully reviewed and subsequently approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. Research projects are funded by bodies such as the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC) and by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the USA.
QTwin observes the Australian Privacy Principles (Privacy Act 1988) and the code of conduct set out in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. Your information is confidential and stored securely. We will not divulge your information to any party unconnected with scientific research. Any data that are either communicated or released to other scientists will contain no identifying information. We will never sell your information to anyone.
As a participant of a twin study, you will receive our lab group newsletter giving updates on our latest research. Most twins enjoy taking part in our studies and find them interesting. Some of our research studies offer participants reimbursement for the time and effort they expend in a study.
UPDATE YOUR CONTACT DETAILS
If you are already registered with us, you can update your contact details online at any time. If you have questions regarding recruitment, contact our coordinator Kerrie McAloney on (07) 3362 0192 or use our Free Call number 1800 257 179.