Cousin Marriages, Should They Be Made Illegal?

[youngmafbog]

Seems that it causes defects, must admit I wasnt aware that it was that risky, and we're not just talking the Rednecks here.

What about the potential cost to the NHS if new cultures have a more open acceptance of them?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5927581/The-tragic-truth-cousin-marriages.html

[anotheoldgit]

I wondered how long it would be before someone played that tatty race card.

[anotheoldgit]

Yes make it illegal, if by doing so the number of these innocent children who have life long defects is reduced, then all the better.

There are groups of these children who are taken for shopping trips to my local supermarket and the vast majority are Asian.

[jno]

Applies to all races, Canary.

not if you look at the photos in the Mail story, OG.

[youngmafbog]

The mail story is highlighting the problem that Kvalidir has pointed out on the first page where cousins of cousins of cousins are marrying.

Trying to turn this into a race issue (which it isnt) really isn't helping understand the problem is it?

[Old_Geezer]

The photos in The Mail are irrelevant to the discussion of cousin marriages. Or more accurately, cousins having offspring together.

[rowanwitch]

No need if you make genetic counselling compulsory .

[fender62]

designed to strengthen the family and keep wealth intact.. these people are not living in the punjab, disgraceful

[andy-hughes]

This once again highlights cultural differences that are embedded from generations ago, and very difficult to shift easily.

As always, education will make a difference, not an instant solution, but these issues rarely have instant solutions anyway - but it needs money to be put into education, and we are yet to find any party, much less any government, willing to put the money into the correct areas of education. Remember - children don't vote.

[-Talbot-]

andy-hughes
This once again highlights cultural differences that are embedded from generations ago, and very difficult to shift easily.

As always, education will make a difference,





The human race has had plenty of time to educate itself on these matters...how many more years do you think is needed?

[andy-hughes]

Talbot - // The human race has had plenty of time to educate itself on these matters...how many more years do you think is needed? //

History shows is that the human race is actually quite bad at educating itself in areas where changing practices would be of a huge benefit to mankind.


Hypothetically, if we started now, we could see a serious reduction in these tragedies in about three generations - but as I said, it's not going to happen, sadly.

[sanmac]

A liberal application of education, it seems, will magically cure most ailments and abnormalities. Just as did a good rubbing of Dr. Cowpolk's Snake Oil years ago.

[douglas9401]

Genetic counselling my foot, outlaw it and make sure that those who choose to ignore the fact pay for any resulting unfortunates.

If they must play doctors and nurses with close family let them do it in the old country.

[woofgang]

kval may know more but I believe that what the Jewish community did was represent genetic screening and counselling as a support to continuing traditional practices. The people who encourage it are Rabbis and matchmakers. I think that most people actually do very much want fit and healthy children so it may be about "selling" genetic screening and education rather than banning.....after all people don't have to be married at all and there is no law that will prevent their producing children (or lying about their consanguinity for that matter)

[jno]

there are several cousin marriages on my family tree, but no madness. One marriage is highly unlikely to produce problems; you have to do it over and over through the generations before you start looking like the Hapsburgs.

[maggiebee]

With so many children these days not knowing who their father is, I would be more concerned about half brothers/sisters marrying. No idea if there are any statistics to back this up, but the odds are that it must happen.

[-Talbot-]

Erm...I think the argument is that these cousins know they're cousins, MB.

[maggiebee]

You're probably right Talbot - cousins will marry knowing the risks they face (if any).

[ummmm]

And some are forced into it.

[-Talbot-]

Well, the risk is a real one and imo cousins who marry and plan to have children are selfish.

[Togo]

//there are several cousin marriages on my family tree, but no madness. //

You have to laugh don't you. :)) Haha. Proof required.