Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Usually every Eid many people ask: can we marry our cousins? The majority of answers to this question are discussed from a religious perspective, and generate various debates.
However, from a scientific perspective the answer is of course yes, but terms and conditions apply.
Please note, during the human creation process there were two different genes (DNA), the father's gene and the mother's gene.
Referring to research “Keeping it in the family”, if we have a non-consanguineous marriage, the two different genes will mix and this will bring benefits. The difference in genetic material will close the big chance of creating disease.
Suppose a mother has non-diabetic genetics and a father has diabetes. So, the baby has a big chance of not getting diabetes because genetic differences can prevent the emergence of diabetes.
This advantage is not obtained if someone marries a cousin whose two partners are genetically similar.
According to a Business Insider report entitled “Is marrying your cousin actually dangerous?”, if two of the same genetics really mix, then the chance of giving birth to a child with abnormalities will be greater.
The UK's National Health Service (NHS) says that cousin marriage increases the risk of birth defects from 3% to 6%. Then, it was also explained that out of 100 babies born to consanguineous couples, there were 5-6 babies who were disabled or had genetic disorders.
The abnormalities experienced are not only physical birth defects, but can also be blindness, deafness, mental retardation, blood disorders, and failure of cognitive abilities. Cases like this often occur in Pakistan.
In a Deutsche Welle report, it was stated that in Pakistan the majority of the population undergo consanguineous marriages due to religious factors. Many Pakistanis believe their religion encourages inbreeding.
Worse, this view is exacerbated by the strong tribal paradigm among them. If they do not comply with this custom, they will be ostracized and come under enormous social pressure. As a result, the chances of not carrying out a cousin marriage are getting smaller and making this chain of marriages difficult to break.
In a report by the Pakistan Ministry of Health, it was discovered that 30,000 families in Pakistan grew up with suspected genetic disorders. Furthermore, the disorder has caused more than 1,000 genetic mutations. And 130 related cases have been discovered and recorded by the government.
From the explanation above, it can be seen that marrying a cousin is not prohibited in science, but the risks are great. This is a big and dangerous risk that is worth considering if you are determined to marry your cousin
One Deutsche Welle source said that one of his sons had a disability in the form of a brain disorder that did not develop to normal size. And other children have speech and hearing problems.
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