  to think it's obvious that cousin marriages increase the
chances of birth defects  (271 Posts) kim147 Thu 04-Jul-13
22:35:34  A study has shown that there is an increase in birth
defects when first cousins get married.  No surprise - it's
genetically pretty obvious. Yet apparently this subject has not
been taken seriously and apparently it's ok because it's allowed
in Islam.  The chance doubles from 3% to 6%  37% of babies of
Pakistani origin had parents who were first cousins.  I'm just
surprised they needed this study. Everything I know about
genetics would indicate that the chances of getting 2 defective
genes increase in families and that includes cousins.
Cheeseatmidnight Thu 04-Jul-13 22:38:39  I know cousins who
married and had children, all fine, but they ALL look the
same.... They look alike and the children look like
them...spooky  justabigdisco Thu 04-Jul-13 22:39:25  I find the
BBC health website often carries stories based on research from
the University of the Bleedin' Obvious.  kim147 Thu 04