Cousins in an embrace
Ever heard of the phrase, “marry your cousin and have deformed children?” Oh well, do not take that as literally as it sounds. However, this piece is an effort to expose the cons of inbreeding with our close kins.
To some people, inbreeding is out rightly abnormal. To some others, it is abolished by religion. But who states what is normal and abnormal? If it is done by people of no religion, is there still a place of it being proscribed as they do not believe in the manual? Well well well, these are questions for the later. For now, let me tell you what might happen when you have children with your close kins, relatives or even cousins.
According to a research piece on www.jrank.org, a lot of genetic diseases are recessive. This means that only people who inherit two disease alleles develop the disease. An allele is a variant form of a gene. Some genes have a variety of different forms, which are located at the same position, or genetic locus, on a chromosome. Humans are called diploid organisms because they have two alleles at each genetic locus, with one allele inherited from each parent.
So, at this point, even common sense explains that related bloodlines have similar genes. If it happens that there are certain diseases inherent in similar genes, the tendency of it dominating when it mixes is very high.
If you know that there is a possibility of exposing your offspring to some form of deformity, why go ahead? Some will argue that the chances of having a deformed child in this situation are low. My response still remains, why try if it is a possibility? How do you even mary your cousins? No be every time you go like show yourself.
Sharing opinions with a couple of people, some think it is not a problem if they are two consenting adults. To some others, having children with anyone not forbidden by religion is allowed. So, which comes first, your feelings and urge or the safety of your child?
In Nigeria, cases of genetic deformity are constantly on the rise. Permit me to say that it is so because we are too religious in this part of the world. As long as religion says yes to it, conscience is forgotten. The Christians are quite clear on their stands about mating with close relatives. The extent of prohibition extends as far as possible. Find in Leviticus 18. However, our dear brethren on the other side says it is okay to marry, mate and reproduce with first cousins and other close relatives.
Speaking to one medical personnel with the United Nations serving in North-eastern Nigeria, we come to know of infant blindness and limb deformities in newborn babies. Though not proven, she is speculating that the reason for this is the high rate of inbreeding going on in that part of the world. Bearing in mind that the specific genetic disorders associated with inbreeding include schizophrenia, limb malformation, blindness, congenital heart disease, and neonatal diabetes, the evidence of the perpetuation of inbreeding is glaring in these areas.
Now that we know the grave dangers of inbreeding outlive the act, why don’t we consider not marrying our cousins and save ourselves and our future offsprings the unnecessary stress?
Ok, this is not telling anyone how to live their lives but, at some point in this life, we are no longer just responsible for ourselves. Our actions and their consequences affect more than just us. So, learn to spread your love nets across the border and remember to flee from ‘the appearances of evil’.