Post by Roderick on Dec 28, 2008 16:53:06 GMT 12
Patty11
27/12/2008 1:56:48 PM Birth defect risks same for cousins as mothers over 40 - study
11:38AM Wednesday Dec 24, 2008
Cousins have no more risk of producing a child with birth defects than women over the age of 40, according to latest research.
Otago University professor of molecular ecology and evolution, Hamish Spencer, and US researchers led by Diane Paul, of Harvard University, said laws in some parts of the world banning marriage between first cousins are based on outdated assumptions of the degree of genetic risk.
While marriage between cousins is legal in New Zealand and Britain, but not generally recommended, such a union is banned or restricted in 31 states in America.
Some states permit the union if the couple have genetic counselling, if one partner is too old to produce children or is sterile.
The average risk of birth defects in children born to cousins is estimated at 1.7 per cent to 2 per cent higher than the risk to the general population. The risk of the baby dying in childhood is estimated to be 4.4 per cent higher.
"Women over the age of 40 have a similar risk of having children with birth defects and no one is suggesting they should be prevented from reproducing," Prof Spencer said.
Outdated legislation in some countries reflected prejudices about immigrants and the rural poor, and relied on oversimplified views of heredity, he said.
"There is no scientific grounding for it."
www.nzherald.co.nz/health/news/article.cfm?c_id=204&objectid=10549652
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Waireka
27/12/2008 1:58:06 PM Report this post
anjewel
27/12/2008 2:47:34 PM Report this post
Wizz7
28/12/2008 5:07:38 PM
yuk yuk! Report this post
Fishman1
28/12/2008 5:09:14 PM My cousin asked me once if I wanted to Report this post
Fishman1
28/12/2008 5:12:00 PM Maybe I should have... she was with her friend aswell Report this post
Patty11
28/12/2008 5:33:12 PM Fishman1
28/12/2008 5:09:14 PM My cousin asked me once if I wanted to
Of course, who else would ( if you don't count animals?) That must've been your one and only chance, awwwww Report this post
Fishman1
28/12/2008 5:34:05 PM
27/12/2008 1:56:48 PM Birth defect risks same for cousins as mothers over 40 - study
11:38AM Wednesday Dec 24, 2008
Cousins have no more risk of producing a child with birth defects than women over the age of 40, according to latest research.
Otago University professor of molecular ecology and evolution, Hamish Spencer, and US researchers led by Diane Paul, of Harvard University, said laws in some parts of the world banning marriage between first cousins are based on outdated assumptions of the degree of genetic risk.
While marriage between cousins is legal in New Zealand and Britain, but not generally recommended, such a union is banned or restricted in 31 states in America.
Some states permit the union if the couple have genetic counselling, if one partner is too old to produce children or is sterile.
The average risk of birth defects in children born to cousins is estimated at 1.7 per cent to 2 per cent higher than the risk to the general population. The risk of the baby dying in childhood is estimated to be 4.4 per cent higher.
"Women over the age of 40 have a similar risk of having children with birth defects and no one is suggesting they should be prevented from reproducing," Prof Spencer said.
Outdated legislation in some countries reflected prejudices about immigrants and the rural poor, and relied on oversimplified views of heredity, he said.
"There is no scientific grounding for it."
www.nzherald.co.nz/health/news/article.cfm?c_id=204&objectid=10549652
Report this post
Waireka
27/12/2008 1:58:06 PM Report this post
anjewel
27/12/2008 2:47:34 PM Report this post
Wizz7
28/12/2008 5:07:38 PM
yuk yuk! Report this post
Fishman1
28/12/2008 5:09:14 PM My cousin asked me once if I wanted to Report this post
Fishman1
28/12/2008 5:12:00 PM Maybe I should have... she was with her friend aswell Report this post
Patty11
28/12/2008 5:33:12 PM Fishman1
28/12/2008 5:09:14 PM My cousin asked me once if I wanted to
Of course, who else would ( if you don't count animals?) That must've been your one and only chance, awwwww Report this post
Fishman1
28/12/2008 5:34:05 PM
