does inbreeding make animals and people crazy?

Question

Ive read in history books about how pit bulls were inbred over and over in order to make them crazy for the use of fighting. We all have heard stories of inbreeding in the south, mostly in joking, but with overtones truth. The more I learn about the middle east, the more I hear about this inbreeding that has gone on for thousands of years. Sadam and his wife, first cousins, both offspring of inbreeding themselves. This question is sure to offend some, although not my intention, I appologize, but the real question here is, when you look at the history of the middle east over the past several thousand years and look at it today, you have to ask yourself, are the crazy?? They are killing Americans yes, but they are also slaughtering themselves and have continued to do so for thousands of years. Does thousands of years of inbreeding play a part in this?? For the record, my wife is Jordanian and portorican, Im a greasy dago, dont call me a raceist, please only intelligent responses.

Answer 1

In truth, the taboo against inbreeding has less to do with insanity than many know or are willing to believe. It was practiced for many hundreds of years by royal families world wide as a way of protecting wealth and power, but the "idiot in the tower" is pretty much a bogey. On the other hand, inbreeding can result in certain maladies becoming a strong characteristic of a group. German Shepherds are known for hereditary hip displaisia, for example. This is a result of continued inbreeding. It gave us a beautiful dog that cannot shake off this imperfection and still remain "pure" as we think of it.

On the human level, people of strong Semitic descent are prone to Tay-sach's disease. Only those of African descent suffer cycle cell anemia. Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease of North European ancestry.

Perhaps the biggest reason for this taboo, however, is that it becomes a destabilizing element of family structure. Say mom's doing her oldest son, for example. Now there is a conflict between father and son as both may soon compete for "king of the castle." (What of the King-Stag when the young stag's grown?) Dad's doing the daughter? The authority of the mother/wife is compromised. These imbalances can affect the extended social structure.

Answer 2

As I understand it, animal DNA is slightly different from human DNA. Inbreeding doesn't effect them the way it does humans.
Or maybe humans have inbred (i.e. tribalism and adultery) so much that it's now become dangerous for us.
In humans, mental illness and hideous, sometimes fatal, physical deformities are not uncommon with inbred children.

Jews are given a rough time but one reason genealogy has been so important to them is the risks of inbreeding because of their tribal society.

Answer 3

Yes, it isnt a good thing for the animal's genetically. You need to dilute the gene pool a little more than that. That is one reason why mutt dogs are generally smarter than your full breeds.