I read an article
in the Guardian (DISCLAIMER: in a doctor's waiting room) about this sort of thing.
Apparently more than half of siblings who grow up seperately feel strong feelings of attraction when they are reunited.
Strange...
(, Fri 11 Jan 2008, 14:10, Reply)
...
Indeed. Allowing for the limited number of separated-at-birth people who do meet, it's not unusual for there to be a strong attraction. The explanation, I believe, is that the sibling would have all the characteristics that would normally attract us, but without the aversion conditioning that normally arises in childhood.
Mason and McCall Smith's "Law and Medical Ethics" devotes quite a lot of attention to incest, raising the question of why it's illegal. They can't see the point: neither can I.
(
Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Fri 11 Jan 2008, 14:21,
Reply)
Isn't it about limiting the chances of genetic conditions occuring?
Given that a deformity or genetic illness is something like 16 times more likely if the parents share similar genes?
(
chenobble rocking his explorer beard on, Fri 11 Jan 2008, 14:24,
Reply)
...
Illness is more likely, but still not likely after just one generation. And, given the level of knowledge about genetics when the taboo grew up - none at all - it's difficult to explain that way.
Nor would the welfare of the child explain it. A child born to siblings would still, almost certainly, have a life worth living, and so benefit from being born.
(
Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Fri 11 Jan 2008, 15:06,
Reply)
You do see why incest should be illegal?
I must ask, do you have a sister?
It's just a slightly suspicious statement...
Although if there's anywhere in the world you can make comments like this, it's b3ta. The weird crushes QOTW was a bit worrying...
(, Fri 11 Jan 2008, 14:53, Reply)