[Paradox]

First Cousins? Too close. Explains the dysfunction and scary creatures inhabiting the various monarchies.

According to a well placed source of mine (formerly well placed), this custom is quite common in the Arab world..

[lilylangtree]

That definitely explains all the crazies in the arab world.

[soundandvision]

According to a well placed source of mine (formerly well placed), this custom is quite common in the Arab world..

I did a search for more reports on this specific story and found varying reports that mentioned this also. My first thought was.. yea and look how backwards they are. It's not exactly a badge of honor.

I've often wondered about Cain and Abel..but that was the dawn of man, at least there was an excuse.

[Centurion2000]

According to a well placed source of mine (formerly well placed), this custom is quite common in the Arab world..

And look how screwed up that part of the world is. :)

[muawiyah]

Marrying your cousins is, of course, still practiced extensively throughout most of the world, not just where they speak Arabic.

Interestingly enough it was often the case among immigrants to the US that uncles married their nieces in some groups.

[the OlLine Rebel]

"...quite common in the Arab world."


Hah, only problem is, there're ALOT of HALF-siblings and HALF-cousins there thanks to multiple wives and all. That dilutes the gene pool a bit.

[latina4dubya]

First Cousins? Too close. Explains the dysfunction and scary creatures inhabiting the various monarchies.

yes, but wouldn't it be true that if the cousins both have superior genes, they would really have nothing to worry about? just wondering...

[johnb838]

And if you add in polygamy within an already closed and restricted gene pool, you wind up with the House of Saud.