First cousin marriage

[Danceswithwhippets]

I don’t think I know (family or wider) anyone in a first cousin marriage.
I listened to this interesting podcast.
There is quite an ick factor about it -the podcaster (a “data journalist” -I didn’t know there was such a thing but I think we need them!) refers to it as a taboo. I suppose that maybe correct, if you do regard it as a part of the incest taboo.
She suggests the ick factor may be a reflection of racism, as first cousin marriage is now unusual in western societies.
What I find interesting is that although in western societies it’s largely frowned upon, few western countries legally prohibit it or restrict it.
Listen to what she says is the genetic evidence about risk -she seems to consider, for first cousin marriages, a doubling of risk of a major genetic problem from 3 to 4% (ie to 6 to 8%) is not great. I wouldn’t agree with that.
Any geneticists, or for that matter any first cousin marriages out there?

It's on BBC Sounds
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0ch1vn3#xtor=CS8-1000-%5BPromo_Box%5D-%5BNews_Promo%5D-%5BNews_Promo%5D-%5BPS_SOUNDS~N~p0ch1vn3~P_AmINormalCousinMarriage_SEG_PNC%5D

It's not the one off cousin marriage that is a problem though it does increase the risk you both carry the same mutation for a recessive condition but when it is compounded over generations.
Though these large multi generational consanguineous family have been used to find the genes involved in genetic diseases. It isn't great seeing families loose multiple children to conditions because both parents are cousins and carry the mutation. There is work being done in the communities to raise awareness of the issue but it is a sensitive issue.

When you think about it, some issues might not come to light until you're older. Say you go to hospital with a heart issue or diabetes or breast cancer etc, they will ask whether there is any history of whatever condition it is in your family.

@Passmethewhat to quote @Essexgirlupnorth ’s post - the reason consanguineous marriages are an issue is that the risk of accumulating autosomal recessive disorders is higher - these frequently lead to severe and debilitating conditions that are present from birth or early childhood, not just a family “tendency” for more common conditions like diabetes and heart disease. A lot of these recessive disorders are rare because the normal “dominant” form of the gene cancels them out. If parents are related by blood this is less likely to happen, and any offspring are more likely to inherit both copies of the faulty recessive gene.

*accumulating autosomal recessive GENES is higher that should say