Incest, Disability, and Procreation.

[Eat_Up_Martha]

People also have a natural biological resistance to breeding with closely related members of the family; reverse sexual imprinting is a natural safeguard against genetic stagnation. I'd imagine that the moral aspects of the argument come from some sort of sympathetic response to seeing incest practiced by others. That is, we would not sleep with our siblings and so are disgusted when others do.

Also, bruncles and flipperkids aren't good for anybody. Even though, iirc, the actually deleterious effects of inbreeding take generations to manifest, if at all.

More to the OP though, I'd argue that it's a matter of choice. Limiting someone's ability to breed at all is tantamount to forced sterilization. Hell, sterilization may be the preferred method if it came down to actually enforcing something so ridiculous.

 

[Karalysia]

All incest is abuse. And the small portion of it that isn't, (sibilings that have never met or been raised togehter) isn't a worthwhile reason to legalize it.

 

[Mango Elephant]

All incest is abuse.

My cousin is pretty hot. If I banged her, how would that be abuse?

 

[Bill3000]

All incest is abuse. And the small portion of it that isn't, (sibilings that have never met or been raised togehter) isn't a worthwhile reason to legalize it.

Eh, why not legalize just that?

 

[Elrohir]

Why is Incest banned?

~Because a higher chance of genetic defects being displayed in the child.?

So why are (genetically caused) disabled people allowed to have children?

~Answers please!

~Should someone who has a disability, and know they will pass it onto their child be banned from bringing that child into the world?
~Should anyone be able to tell anyone else what they can and cannot do?
~Should China?

Because people think incest is icky and gross, and since most people who commit incest are child abusers, there isn't any sort of lobby that raise the issue seriously enough for people to assess the ban with any sort of rational thought. Not that I'm crying over it, though -- I think it's immoral, and creepy, and usually involves abusive or immoral conduct.

All incest is abuse. And the small portion of it that isn't, (sibilings that have never met or been raised togehter) isn't a worthwhile reason to legalize it.

All I is A.
Some I is not A.

???

 

[Yared]

More to the OP though, I'd argue that it's a matter of choice. Limiting someone's ability to breed at all is tantamount to forced sterilization. Hell, sterilization may be the preferred method if it came down to actually enforcing something so ridiculous.

I might be misinterpreting you, but I don't agree. Prohibiting something and limiting something isn't the same thing...

 

[Eat_Up_Martha]

I might be misinterpreting you, but I don't agree. Prohibiting something and limiting something isn't the same thing...

You're not misinterpreting me; I chose my words poorly.

If our primary concern was to minimize the spread of genetic diseases, we would need to prohibit people with genetic ailments from having children at all. Conversely, we would only need to limit 'normal' people from breeding with their family.

 

[metatron]

I think incest is illegal mostly because nearly all cases of incest is abuse. Although you could argue that's a redundant law, but I digress.

Yes it is redundant, and that at the heart of the matter. So no, you didn't digress.

I'm sure there have been cases of brother and sister doing it, but even that could be abuse as the older one has more influence on the younger one. And even as adults, there is a matter of influence.

Or the younger could have influence on the older. Or simply anyone could have influence on anyone.
Isn't that danger present with any kind of relationship. Why should a relationship between related adults capable of consent be treated any different than all the other relationships that are fraught with that danger?

You may argue it's because they knew each other for such a long time that some mutaded x-ray-super-influence may have had time to build up. But wouldn't that put you in a rather rough position regarding all couples who knew each other from childhood?

All incest is abuse. And the small portion of it that isn't, (sibilings that have never met or been raised togehter) isn't a worthwhile reason to legalize it.

Erm, these...

Spoiler :

...seem to be happy. And they have four healthy kids.
And no, daddy doesn't look like trash cause he's a filthy abuser but because he's done time (with more incoming).

I know, it's totally anecdotal. But since imposing authority on people is a rather untypical position for you to have (as far as i know you) i considered it a good idea to at least give those people a face.

On second thought the photo doesn't look to good. I could look for a better one. But photos and the expressions people make when photographed are annoying anyway...

 

[Zack]

And the small portion of it that isn't, (sibilings that have never met or been raised togehter)

 

[W|M]

Why there shouldn't be incest

 

[Bill3000]

Why there shouldn't be incest

Technically that's an argument against repeated incest offenses.

 

[innonimatu]

Yes it is redundant, and that at the heart of the matter. So no, you didn't digress.

Or the younger could have influence on the older. Or simply anyone could have influence on anyone.
Isn't that danger present with any kind of relationship. Why should a relationship between related adults capable of consent be treated any different than all the other relationships that are fraught with that danger?

You may argue it's because they knew each other for such a long time that some mutaded x-ray-super-influence may have had time to build up. But wouldn't that put you in a rather rough position regarding all couples who knew each other from childhood?

Erm, these...

Spoiler :

...seem to be happy. And they have four healthy kids.
And no, daddy doesn't look like trash cause he's a filthy abuser but because he's done time (with more incoming).

I know, it's totally anecdotal. But since imposing authority on people is a rather untypical position for you to have (as far as i know you) i considered it a good idea to at least give those people a face.

On second thought the photo doesn't look to good. I could look for a better one. But photos and the expressions people make when photographed are annoying anyway...

I0'm with metatron on all these points.

 

[NovaKart]

My cousin is pretty hot. If I banged her, how would that be abuse?

I think most people don't consider cousin sex incest.

 

[W|M]

Really? I thought most people do, especially when referring to first-cousin.

 

[Zack]

I think most people don't consider cousin sex incest.

FDR certainly didn't.

 

[civ_king]

FDR certainly didn't.

they were fifth cousins (once removed)

 

[Disgustipated]

I think most people don't consider cousin sex incest.

It's still a little icky, but not too much. I've had some attraction to a couple of my first cousins. I don't think I would seriously do them. But I could imagine a couple situations where it might happen (getting drunk and naked together would put me over the edge). I never had a sister, so I can't comment on that.

The reason why it's different is because you grew up together. For brothers and sisters that don't grow up together it's okay. It's different when you grow up with someone. I can't explain why exactly, but it is. I doubt I would be attracted to my cousin had I grown up in the same house as her.

 

[metatron]

The reason why it's different is because you grew up together. For brothers and sisters that don't grow up together it's okay. It's different when you grow up with someone. I can't explain why exactly, but it is. I doubt I would be attracted to my cousin had I grown up in the same house as her.

Ok, then what's with the neighbors daughter you knew since you were four? What's with someone you grew up with in the same household (for some time) who isn't related to you?

And where's the line with that one? If someone stays in your household for a year when both of you were twelve (for whatever reason), can you start a relationship with that person when both of you are twenty? When is it to much?

 

[xarthaz]

I think incest is illegal mostly because nearly all cases of incest is abuse. Although you could argue that's a redundant law, but I digress. I'm sure there have been cases of brother and sister doing it, but even that could be abuse as the older one has more influence on the younger one. And even as adults, there is a matter of influence.

Long story short, it's icky.

If you reject the concept of choice(aka humans are behavioral beings, not actors) then totalitarianism is the answer, not a couple of ethical laws

 

[Bill3000]

Ok, then what's with the neighbors daughter you knew since you were four? What's with someone you grew up with in the same household (for some time) who isn't related to you?

yo
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