http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/cbc/081222/science/science_cousins_marry
PRINCE.EDWARD.ISLAND (CBC) - Laws banning first cousins from marrying are based on outdated assumptions about higher risks for offspring, population genetic experts say. [...] "These laws reflect once-prevailing prejudices about immigrants and the rural poor and oversimplified views of heredity, and they are inconsistent with our acceptance of reproductive behaviors that are much riskier to offspring," the pair conclude in a journal forum where historians and philosophers reflect on topical issues in biology. "They should be repealed, not because their intent was eugenic, but because neither the scientific nor social assumptions that informed them are any longer defensible." The researchers give the example of a 2002 expert review on birth defects. The panel concluded the risk to those born to cousins is smaller than generally assumed at 1.7 to two per cent higher than the population-wide risk of birth defects, which is between two and three per cent. The review panel thought such a rate did not warrant any special testing before conception. "Women over the age of 40 have a similar risk of having children with birth defects and no one is suggesting they should be prevented from reproducing," the article said. "People with Huntington's Disease or other autosomal dominant disorders have a 50 per cent risk of transmitting the underlying genes to offspring and they are not barred either."
[...]
"These laws reflect once-prevailing prejudices about immigrants and the rural poor and oversimplified views of heredity, and they are inconsistent with our acceptance of reproductive behaviors that are much riskier to offspring," the pair conclude in a journal forum where historians and philosophers reflect on topical issues in biology.
"They should be repealed, not because their intent was eugenic, but because neither the scientific nor social assumptions that informed them are any longer defensible."
The researchers give the example of a 2002 expert review on birth defects. The panel concluded the risk to those born to cousins is smaller than generally assumed at 1.7 to two per cent higher than the population-wide risk of birth defects, which is between two and three per cent. The review panel thought such a rate did not warrant any special testing before conception.
"Women over the age of 40 have a similar risk of having children with birth defects and no one is suggesting they should be prevented from reproducing," the article said.
"People with Huntington's Disease or other autosomal dominant disorders have a 50 per cent risk of transmitting the underlying genes to offspring and they are not barred either."
Quote: from Mediocre at 11:07 pm on Dec. 23, 2008 Quote: from iJeannie at 8:01 pm on Dec. 23, 2008 Makes me sad that people actually took the time/money/effort to fight for something like this and forgot about the important thinsg that are going on in the world. Like you know, Aids, Hunger, War, Genocides, Rapes, Gangs, etc. Dumb argument. There's always "a better cause." You could apply that point to anything. And ending the prejudice and legal attacks incestuous lovers endure is a noble goal. Your definition of noble goal and my definition of noble goal are clearly different.
Quote: from iJeannie at 8:01 pm on Dec. 23, 2008 Makes me sad that people actually took the time/money/effort to fight for something like this and forgot about the important thinsg that are going on in the world. Like you know, Aids, Hunger, War, Genocides, Rapes, Gangs, etc. Dumb argument. There's always "a better cause." You could apply that point to anything. And ending the prejudice and legal attacks incestuous lovers endure is a noble goal.
Makes me sad that people actually took the time/money/effort to fight for something like this and forgot about the important thinsg that are going on in the world. Like you know, Aids, Hunger, War, Genocides, Rapes, Gangs, etc.
And ending the prejudice and legal attacks incestuous lovers endure is a noble goal.
my cousin and i are dating and are love is as real as anybodys and should be respected theres a 1 in 3 chance hes the father of my baby and there is nothing wrong with that
theres a 1 in 3 chance hes the father of my baby and there is nothing wrong with that
You are such a fucking Troll.
ew. incest.
wut
this