A curious graphic from Andrew Sullivan, showing the (few) states that allow same-sex marriage, and the (many) states that allow marriage between first cousins. Is there supposed to be an “eww” factor here? What rationale could be used to ban marriage between first cousins if they have the right to marry whomever they please? The eugenic rationale is scientifically overstated for sure, and it’s not clear that such a rationale would trump a right anyway. And what about same-sex marriage between first cousins? What rationale could there be against that?
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a child is about 4x more likely to be retarded when the parents are first cousins. some studies show increased likelihood of decreased IQ as well. so the same argument here is similar to that made against homosexual relationship, which cannot normally produce offspring, i.e. “nature doesn’t seem to want us to do things this way, so we should codify that in the law.” there are, of course, incestuous and homosexual relationships all throughout nature as well, but i digress…
This is a silly post, of course, but what do considerations like retarded children have on a question of rights? Older women having children are also more likely to have retarded children, as are retarded people, who also can marry. The point: this whole thing is a matter of culture rather than rights.