i suspect in some cultures it is acceptable whereas in others, including my own, it is frowned upon. is it because the gene pool would be too limited and you would be at higher risk of creating babies with genetic abnormalities? or is it just sick and perverse because cousins are too close for comfort?
i don't want to marry my cousin, lol, just have arlways wondered why my family thinks this way, and other's families don't.
2006-09-17 17:20:51 · 29 answers · asked by swot 5 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
lol@ bleep, darling, i don't want to marry anyone dear, least of arl my cousins lol.
although, if i could marry my cat, i would: is that legal? al change species if that is what it takes. could i get a species change on the national health do you think? al have a word with my shrink next time i see him.
only joking, i don't believe in bestiality either.
2006-09-18 06:50:30 · update #1
No it's not incest.
You are right, in the majority of cultures it is acceptable.
In the olden days, before it was possible to study genetics scientifically, it was feared that cousins were too closely related and therefore (as you say) the gene pool would be too limited. So rules were created to prevent people marrying their cousins, and they had to be pushed hard by the authorities, otherwise people would want to break them. Over time, they became deeply entrenched.
Now, through modern research, they have been able to establish that cousins are different enough in their DNA that there is no more risk of genetic abnormalities than anyone else.
When you think about it, they have been mating cousins in animal breeding for centuries without worrying about it!
2006-09-17 18:13:17 · answer #1 · answered by Kylie 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ask the Queen.......
"Elizabeth married The Duke of Edinburgh (born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark) on 20 November 1947. The Duke is Queen Elizabeth's second cousin once removed; they are both descended from Christian IX of Denmark"
2006-09-17 18:44:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the UK it is not illegal to marry your cousin.
It is frowned upon mainly because of the genetic concerns - too much interbreeding is thought to cause abnormalities.
This is why your family has taken such a view I suppose. If you are attracted to your cousin, I guess you'll just have to be content with fantasy.
2006-09-18 02:54:08 · answer #3 · answered by Marinersfan 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm going to differ from your other answers - I thought marrying your first cousin was legal in the UK?
Even so, I imagine eyebrows would be raised if a couple revealed that they were cousins.
2006-09-17 22:56:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes
2006-09-17 17:37:35 · answer #5 · answered by hotrdcars9 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ha ha ha You answered your own question. Your babies could get all the things genetically wrong from both of you. Since you are closely related your chances of having a handicaped or deformed baby is likely.
2006-09-17 17:29:34 · answer #6 · answered by kitkat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im not sure if it is classed as incest but it does not seem right my cousins are like sisters to me in some ways
2006-09-18 00:01:56 · answer #7 · answered by scott j 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
depends on what cousin 1, 2,
2006-09-17 19:46:13 · answer #8 · answered by stephen d 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES, IT IS INCEST. And yes, we are just like any other creatures, if you mix the gene pool too closely it is asking for disaster.
2006-09-17 17:26:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
depending on your culture and religion it could be called incest. its acceptable and normal in some places but frowned upon in most places
2006-09-17 22:38:07 · answer #10 · answered by oye 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋