2 replies to this topic

[Wino]

I thought Kentucky was one of the few states that allow first cousin marriages. Looks like I was wrong.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – A Maryland state legislator says it's time to ban marriages between first cousins and stop playing what he calls "genetic roulette" with their offspring.

Henry Heller, a Democratic delegate, or state representative, says he wants to bring Maryland "into the enlightened world of other states such as West Virginia and Arkansas" that already prohibit unions of first cousins.

Heller is a retired special education administrator. He says couples who are first cousins are at an increased risk of having a child with birth defects.

The bill would make an exception for people who are over age 65 or infertile. Heller says he has "no problem" with those couples if they want the companionship.

There are 24 states that prohibit marriage between first-cousins.
Md. lawmaker: Ban first-cousin marriages as unsafe - Yahoo! News

[Thaimo]

Wino, on 19 February 2010 - 12:36 PM, said:

Heller says he has "no problem" with those couples if they want the companionship.

The man is living in the past. It has been quite a long time since having children meant that a couple must be married. If first cousins really want to live together and have children, they're likely to do it whether married or not.

[Beer Chang]

Elvis did a movie Kissing Cousins about a bunch of hill people.