Any merit to the genetic argument - that people should be prevented from pro-creating if their children will likely have birth defects - is vastly outweighed by the negative social consequences of legally enforced eugenics. The logical extension of such a policy would be universal genetic testing, and licenses to breed (although of course, in practice, people simply resort to a shameless double standard).

The only other argument that I have come across is "ew, that's disgusting". I find this too breathtakingly immature to warrant much of a rebuttal, so I shall simply point out that awarding or denying basic rights based upon the personal preferences and prejudices of the majority has resulted in an appalling level of institutionalised racism, homophobia and sexism.

The distinction between democracy and mob rule has always lain in the inalienable basic rights and protection of minorities that characterise the former system. Whether or not one is a member of the minority that wises to practice incest is irrelevant. The personal freedom that is being infringed upon belongs, in principal, to all citizens.

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I think it is disgusting, honestly. I could never see myself wanting to have any sort of sexual relationship with anyone in my family. How could a sister and brother want to have sexual relations? I mean, you came from the same womb, the same genes, everything. It kind of baffles me...

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Believe it or not, but a lot of people think the same about gay marriage (perhaps you do, too, I dunno).  I agree that it is, but if they want to do it, that is their business.

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Hope
Hype

We wouldn't go out there and stop 40 year old's having sex because their children might have genetic defects, so why do we do it in cases of incest?

Whilst I would never engage in incest myself, I don't see that it is our place to object when the parties involved are consensual adults who have chosen to do what they do.

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oh, she's a dreamer ♥
be the change you wish to see in the world
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currently studying in france

I don't really get turned on by anyone designated as a 'sibling' in my family, probably because of how I was raised, I don't even get sexual feelings towards my step sister, or my cousins, etc. To each their own though, really.

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O` tru apothecary!
Thy drugs are quick.
Thus with a kiss I die.

   * As a certified LiveWire Intellectual you are indubitably capable of composing a more verbose post!

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click and please click
^use head phones

I think reproducing is a little wrong, but it doesn't necessarily form 'demented' or 'retarded' children, which is what most people think. It just improves the chances of some sort of dormant gene in your blood line becoming dominant in your children. But if you wish to have children, then each to their own. Go for it, who am I to say it's wrong?

People need to mind their own business sometimes I think.

Post edited at 1:01 am on Jan. 20, 2009 by roflfuckyou

What people do in their own homes isn't my business as long as it isn't hurting me directly or hurting society at large.

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Si on me presse de dire pourquoi je l'aimais,
je sens que cela ne se peut exprimer qu'en répondant,
"Parce que c'était lui, parce que c'était moi."

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Live and let live; although one must be pretty desperate to have to dip into the immediate gene pool.

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You're the fucking man.

XD.

Now for the other side, I don't have any negative feelings based on the fact that emotions can run deeper with family, you can become closer than any other couple. I would never have sex with a sister or mother or anything, but a cousin or something, maybe, I would give thought to it, but I would still avoid situations like that.
Also, there is that whole taboo written all over it, which makes it just that more appealing to most.

But think of it this way. We let our dogs and cats inbreed, so what is to say that we cant.
Although, inbreeding in dogs does cause health issues.

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If I wanted to listen to an asshole. Id fart.