Incest

[X-Act]

Am I wrong or are you still implying that the two "incestors" have to have a child?

I'm implying that two people who perform incest have at least one child, yes. If they don't have a child, then my argument against consensual incest is moot. However, I'd rather prevent consensual incest all the same to decrease the likelihood that recessive genes that malform, or otherwise disable, a child are passed to their potential offspring. Much like I'd rather prevent my own child from even touching a knife even though he might not get hurt if he does touch it. Prevention is better than cure, as they say.

 

[zarator]

I'm implying that two people who perform incest have at least one child, yes. If they don't have a child, then my argument against consensual incest is moot. However, I'd rather prevent consensual incest all the same to decrease the likelihood that recessive genes that malform, or otherwise disable, a child are passed to their potential offspring. Much like I'd rather prevent my own child from even touching a knife even though he might not get hurt if he does touch it. Prevention is better than cure, as they say.

Maybe you forgot that some years (quite a lot, now) ago someone invented things like condoms to prevent a couple from having a child unless they really want. And basing a law upon the 1% (maybe even less than that) chance that a incestous couple fail to not having children DESPITE using preventive methods towards pregnance... it seems a bit too much to me. You are still negate happiness to several people (whether you like it or not) for the sake of a VERY negligible chance.

Really, I don't know if you are all observant, conservative religious people or what not, but a lot of you seem to make your arguments as if methods for avoiding pregnance do not exist. Quite a silly thing to believe, in the 21st century.

 

[Sarenji]

However, I'd rather prevent consensual incest all the same to decrease the likelihood that recessive genes that malform, or otherwise disable, a child are passed to their potential offspring.

This means I should never have children. I am deaf due to unknown reasons, but it might be due to a recessive gene. Actually since it's not 100% certain I have this recessive gene, I guess I'm not such a great example; in that case, direct your attention to all the deaf people who procreate that do have the gene. Are they wrong to procreate? What about mentally retarded people, mentally retarded because of genetic reasons? Are they wrong to procreate? This is the big issue I see about the genetic argument. EDIT: I'm just playing devil's advocate here, I don't assume you would be against me having children!

I see no problem with consensually incestuous couples procreating, as long as they are aware of the risks. I pretty much agree completely with Brain's post. But incest becomes more of a problem the more the relationship is based upon coercion; however, that isn't an issue of genetics, and seems more like something about relationships in general.

The best argument I've seen against incest isn't on moral or genetic grounds: you don't get to be part of another family. There's just yours. That's an unfortunate consequence. I care about that, you might not.

 

[Terminator]

Maybe you forgot that some years (quite a lot, now) ago someone invented things like condoms to prevent a couple from having a child unless they really want. And basing a law upon the 1% (maybe even less than that) chance that a incestous couple fail to not having children DESPITE using preventive methods towards pregnance... it seems a bit too much to me. You are still negate happiness to several people (whether you like it or not) for the sake of a VERY negligible chance.

Really, I don't know if you are all observant, conservative religious people or what not, but a lot of you seem to make your arguments as if methods for avoiding pregnance do not exist. Quite a silly thing to believe, in the 21st century.

He is speaking about his children, and not about the incestuous couples that should be able to practice whatever they want.