If the elevated risk of genetic defects in children is good enough a reason to legally ban some people from having children together, then why are there so few of these bans? The little people, the deaf and those with family history of schizophrenia may perfectly legally have children if they so choose, even with other little, deaf or schizophrenic people, regardless of the risks. Just as long as the other half is not their brother or sister. I'd say the "good reasons" have less to do with genetic risks and more with the ick factor. And I don't think that's right. Sure, incest is gross, but it doesn't make you mentally incompetent or unable to assess risks and make decisions.
You're leaving out the fact that the article is mostly about not knowing, how there is an increased risk of meeting an unknown sibling, and that the information should be available for those who would mind on any level. Choosing to be with someone regardless of what others think isn't the same as accidentally doing so because of ignorance.
Aside from that, we have many laws that aren't exactly fair, but this is one that actually makes sense on genetic issues.
So weird. "Hi, I am an AI kid, are you sure you're not my brother? May I see your credentials?"
One Sperm Donor, 150 sons and daughters
- 09/09/2011 09:13:14 PM
830 Views
Back in the 80's we used to call it "Being a Rock Star". *NM*
- 10/09/2011 12:27:35 AM
166 Views
"We?" *NM*
- 10/09/2011 01:36:16 AM
264 Views
It's this cool new term I just came up with. It means "myself and other people."
- 10/09/2011 01:50:26 AM
408 Views
Yet, if they didn't know they were siblings then they wouldn't be bound by the incest taboo.
- 10/09/2011 03:16:45 AM
419 Views
Yes, but the taboo has a rationale behind it.
- 10/09/2011 08:13:01 AM
613 Views
Are people with actually diagnosed genetic defects "allowed" to have children? *NM*
- 10/09/2011 12:41:56 PM
224 Views
yeah they are allowed
- 10/09/2011 10:22:24 PM
499 Views
Of course they are allowed, but why?
- 11/09/2011 01:38:57 AM
521 Views
I see where you are going with this, but
- 11/09/2011 08:07:45 PM
479 Views
I was just making the point that the incest taboo is a societal construct. Thus...
- 12/09/2011 05:37:26 AM
477 Views