How 'wrong' is it for first cousins to have a kid together?

[rockydem]

A co-worker recently told me the secret of hers. I know her well - and the story was always that she was a single mother, not married to the father.

They were both drunk - it was mistake. I was taken aback - but I didn't find it particulary 'scandalous' - and I told her that. But then again I don't know about these things. Obviously, it is not a good situation, and one to be avoided - but I told her that things like this probably happen more than we know...

It was hard on her family. The baby turned out ok, and the father is involved in the kid's life. They appear to be making the best of a less than ideal situation, and handling it like adults.

What do you people think?

[loveable liberal]

1. yea right....'a co worker'....

[aquaman]

5. LOL

:9

[rockydem]

16. It is just a co-worker

we have no relationship beyond that of friends....

[freetobegay]

2. Genetically speaking, very wrong!

[Seabiscuit]

3. It's not incest and it's not illegal. Just strange.

[Spinzonner]

4. Genetically, not as bad as once thought

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/041001.html

Probably not as bad as the intellectual interbreeding practiced by Republicans

[JimmyJazz]

6. All I know is that in GWTW, Ashley and Melanie were first

cousins. I think at one time, it was pretty common for first cousins to marry and, in fact, expected. I don't think the blood lines are close enough to necessarily be affected, but it's still a little creepy in this day and age.

[yardwork]

7. No problem. The myths about this are grossly wrong.

In many cultures it is perfectly acceptable for first cousins to marry and have children, and their offspring and no worse for it.

The problems develop when inbreeding goes on for generations, and even then the worst that happens is that certain genetically caused diseases may become more prevalent in the offspring.

[RPM]

8. more wrong than it is for anyone else to do it.

n/t

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. Depends on if they want their kid to turn out like G.W. Bush.

...I hear the sound of banjos...

[madrchsod]

10. call jerry!jerry!jerry!

[soothsayer]

11. Ask the royal family (of hemophiliacs!). It's....not a great practice,

but.....ICK.

[Borgnine]

12. I'd have to be mightily drunk.

Like the others have said, it's not as bad as once thought, but still unnerving. Regardless, knowing my family, I'd want to stay as far away genitically as I could.

[liberalpragmatist]

13. Not as bad as people think

First cousin marriages are extremely common throughout much of the world. A recent study found that the chance of genetic defects IS twice as high, but still extremely low - far lower than people would expect.

Children of 1st cousin marriages are typically none the worse for it. They're almost always fine. Like someone else said, it's only a problem if it happens through generations and generations.

Actually, my family is Indian, and a few of my parent's cousins are married to second cousins, which is even less problematic.

[neebob]

14. The cave people didn't worry about it

and that probably explains a lot.

[jdots]

15. What about your cat's cousin ?

don't knock it till you try it.

[LibLover]

17. I guess if it worked for them.

Darwin married his first cousin. So did Einstein. If it hasn't harmed the child I say just leave them alone and let them be parents.

Is that really the only time they've fooled around? Any chance they could make it work? I wouldn't, but there are enough unhappy people and failed marriages out there. If they can make it work, why not?

[rockydem]

18. Darwin and Einstein?

really?

[LibLover]

19. I knew Darwin did from history class

Google told me about Einstein.

[Spinzonner]

21. Einstein's second wife was a cousin

and they had no children

[JCMach1]

20. Quite common in the Middle East... with arranged marriages

It produces problems though with the gene pool if it continues over time... A good friend of mine is facing a life-threatening blood disorder because of this. She will have to undergo a bone marrow transplant just to survive.