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Is incest really wrong?
I thought about this issue for sometime now and I made some light researches about the arguments to be expected
1. Because inbreeding results into defective children
- The chances of producing defective children occurs to everyone. By this logic, are you saying that people with raised chances of defective birth should be condemned?
- Same arguement was raised towards homosexuals and same arguement will be raised again. Be my guest.
3. Because it is disgusting
- I dont think its a valid reason
Conclusion:
I can understand that Incest is a taboo subject and some people can feel disturbed by the thought of it. However, it is outrageous to claim that incest should be illegal and banned in most nations. Your thoughts?
My gut reaction is: "THAT'S DISGUSTING!" but when I really think about it, it's the same reason that many people hate gays...
I don't think that my morals should impose on two people who (romantically) love each other, then I would be no better than those protesting gay marriage.
So, if the two people are adults, consent to sex, and understand the risks for their offspring, I see nothing wrong with it.
I don't think they should marry because I think you should spare them from the drama, that will probably happen if they were to get a divorce.
If you marry a family member, you have no chance of cutting your relationship. The former spouse will show up at birthday parties, christmas and other events.
I am not totally against family members marrying actually, I just don't think it is a very smart thing to do.
Incest by itself isn't immoral, all of the actions that occur are deemed publicly moral, it is the labels we put on the people that causes it to be socially immoral. The reason is also an objection to one of your points:
1. Because inbreeding results into defective children
- The chances of producing defective children occurs to everyone. By this logic, are you saying that people with raised chances of defective birth should be condemned?
The problem with inbreeding is that it allows two uncommon recessive genes to have the possibility of entering one person. These genes are uncommon, and it is very rare that any two unrelated people will both have them, so it isn't an issue for them.
I don't care who someone sleeps with or marries, but incestuous child birth should be illegal unless through genetic testing they demonstrate that they both don't have a rare and dangerous gene(s).
The problem with inbreeding is that it allows two uncommon recessive genes to have the possibility of entering one person.
Again, this is not a valid reason because there are billions of other people who has a defective gene and raised chances for deformed offspring. It is biased to condemn incest while the others has are free to have an unrestrained sexual relationship.
You are ignoring the math, if a father has a harmful gene, there is a 25% chance with a brother/sister or 50% with a father/daughter that the child will be born with that defect, that is orders of magnitudes higher than the natural chance that occurs with any two random people.
Let them marry, but they should be criminally charged if that child is born with a defect.
I'm going to go into hypothetical to see if this discussion is worth continuing, we may just outright disagree.
If the likelihood of two random, unrelated people, to both have a rare recessive and harmful gene was 0.001%, compared to the 25%/50% chance among brother/sister parent/child couples, would that convince you that incestuous couples shouldn't have children without first getting genetic testing?
Also this is an interesting article about the extremes of inbreeding in a Mormon population:
You just said the same thing. I understand the risks of having a sexual relationship with someone of the similar gene. But I find it incredibly unfair that they are to be send to jail for it. Despite the fact that there are also plenty of people who has sick genes
I understand the risks of having a sexual relationship with someone of the similar gene. But I find it incredibly unfair that they are to be send to jail for it. Despite the fact that there are also plenty of people who has sick genes
I understand the risks of driving while intoxicated, but I find it incredibly unfair that anyone is to be sent to jail for it. Despite the fact that there are also plenty of people who get into accidents who are not intoxicated.
Do you agree with the statement I have constructed about drunk driving using the logic you have provided?
you took it out of context man. It is fine to be arrested for drunk driving because practically everyone who dares to promote accidents on the road are liable for punishment. (e.g jaywalking and overloading)
However, you stance of punish incest sex but not those positive with aids is like saying only government officials can enjoy an unrestricted lifestyle
It is fine to be arrested for drunk driving because practically everyone who dares to promote accidents on the road are liable for punishment.
One isn't however, criminally charged for getting into an accident (analogous to random couple sharing genetic flaw), but if you are caught driving recklessly, you are criminally liable (analogous to inbreeding).
However, you stance of punish incest sex but not those positive with aids is like saying only government officials can enjoy an unrestricted lifestyle
You will be completely incapable of finding a quote with me saying we should punish incestuous sex. The same is true about a quote of me sharing a position on people with aids, I've never even mentioned that. This is an example of a straw-man, You have presented two positions that I have never claimed to hold.
If someone has tested HIV positive, it is a criminal action to have unprotected sex with someone without telling them of your condition. This is already law, at least in the US. A mother who is HIV positive has a less than 1% chance of passing it on as long as she is under proper treatment, if she refuses treatment it goes up to 15-20%, I would think that this should also be a criminal act if HIV is passed on to the child.
One isn't however, criminally charged for getting into an accident
Nope, even victims who was proven to be the cause of the accidents are still charged with "Reckless Imprudence". And put under house arrest until ready for the court
but if you are caught driving recklessly, you are criminally liable (analogous to inbreeding)
Again, you just took it out of context. Incest Relationships who birthed a bad offspring shares the same guilt as the parents who has full awareness of their Bad Genes
You will be completely incapable of finding a quote with me saying we should punish incestuous sex.
You said: Let them marry, but they should be criminally charged if that child is born with a defect.
I never claimed that you said sex. But your words are synonymous with "offsprings"
The same is true about a quote of me sharing a position on people with aids, I've never even mentioned that.
I was comparing the instances. HIV possitive people has chances of bad offsprings just as Incest Relationships
If someone has tested HIV positive, it is a criminal action to have unprotected sex with someone without telling them of your condition.
Nope, even victims who was proven to be the cause of the accidents are still charged with "Reckless Imprudence". And put under house arrest until ready for the court
I can only speak for the US, but that isn't true here. If you cause an accident, you are liable for civil charges, not criminal.
I was comparing the instances. HIV possitive people has chances of bad offsprings just as Incest Relationships
This is true and I addressed this, my position is that if they are not taking HIV meds they should be criminally charged, as the risk of a child born with HIV jumps by a magnitude of three if they choose not to.
Incest Relationships who birthed a bad offspring shares the same guilt as the parents who has full awareness of their Bad Genes
If it can be demonstrated that a couple had a child, fully knowing that there was a 25% chance of that child will be born with a genetic defect, they also should be criminally charged.
Then I suppose that we can conclude that both parties should be aware of their conditions before taking the risk of making an offspring?
The problem with double recessive genes is that the only way to determine if you have one is by genetic testing. There will be no outward showing effects because it is recessive. It is common knowledge however that if a parent has one of these genes, should the children of that parent breed there is an astronomically higher probability that their child will be born with an expressed genetic defect, when compared to two random unrelated people.
But thats not a reason to ilegalize their relationships, now is it?
I hold no personal taboo against incest, if a granddaughter of legal age wants to be in a relationship with her grandfather, I have no grounds to object. The 25% chance that a harmful recessive genetic trait will be expressed is the only thing I have an objection to, and that only occurs if they breed, which is what I'm against (until they get genetic testing to nullify that risk).
On inbreeding, I know it is a sensitive subject- but I don't think parents should have a child through normal means if there is a heightened risk of genetic disorder to the child. I.e. both are carriers of a genetic disease, they are closely related, they have had children with genetic disorders before. They can adopt or use genetic testing.
It may seem harsh, discriminative and cruel- but it is no more wrong than abortion.
Marriage isnt about reproduction. People marry to concrete their love with each other. And of course, if their love is true, then they should be aware of the risks of their relationship
By saying that Incest is wrong simply because of the raised chances of defective birth is the same as saying that people with defective genes should not be allowed to reproduce.
Also, reproduction isnt always the reason for sex. Its a normal practice of proving your love
What are you talking about? I'm not against gay relationships. I am against defective reproduction. Homosexuals can't reproduce, so defective reproduction is not an issue, ergo, I'm not against gay relationships. If I was against the taboo aspect of the relationship, then you can claim that I am against homosexual relationships because homosexuality is taboo. Read the description ;)
BTW, I find that people who ask the "Is incest wrong?" question tend to have a hot sibling ;)
The likelihood of genetic defects is greater when the parents are close relatives. Recessive genes that would have likely remained dormant are more likely to appear in the offspring.
true there is always a chance for genetic defects to exist, but the risk increases as the gene pool diminishes. Incest leads to the smallest gene pool possible and hence forth is the most likely to produce defects.
A person with a genetic disorder may pass on their disorder to their offspring, but incest can create multiple genetic disorders. Look at the Ashkenazi Jews. They weren't using incest, but they keep their gene pool so confined that multiple defects appeared as a result.
1. If you are referring to the Incest Parenthood...I will say that while I allow their relationship, they must know their place and the risk that they are carrying.
Better to adopt than reject your limbless child :)
2. Nope. I just keep an openmind.
In conclusion, wont you agree that it is outrageous to illegalize incest relationships when both parties are in their right age and devoted to each other?
