Yes, It Does Happen

The news from Brazil about a Genetic Sexual Attraction case is prompting commentaries and discussions about things like "Incest by Accident," which is the title of this piece at guardianlv.com by Roanne FitzGibbon...

Recently, a couple about to be married in South Africa introduced their parents to each other, which resulted in facts that had long been hidden. The couple, expecting their first child, were all set to be married when the parents of each partner revealed some truths. It turns out that the bride and groom-to-be were actually brother and sister. Through a series of events and circumstances they did not know while growing up, their own parents confessed to secrets that made a difference. The soon to be wedded couple simply ended their love affair, despite their feelings and proceeded alone without their lover.

I think she's referring to this case.

Sad cases of finding out the truth of heritage have prevented or annulled otherwise happy unions. In the interest of upholding laws and rules, some lovers have forsaken their vows in the name of doing the right thing.

But is it really the right thing to break up a new family? I supposed it is, if the lovers can no longer go on together, but it seems to me like it is external disapproval that has been internalized.

Marrying a cousin or having sexual relations with a relative is generally a criminal offense and mostly banned around the world.

See here for a good idea of what the laws actually say.

Exceptions and allowances do occur for incest by accident, but for the most part, it has been deemed crude and offensive.

More than a natural attraction, love affairs involving incest are considered weird and unaccepted.

This is what I have to say about that.

Having children out of these unions can result in genetic malfunctions and mutations.

Sure, as can any birth.

Promoting a stance with incest is an offense and can be punishable through law, as one cartoonist found out recently in Kendal, Cumbria, England. Andrew Smith’s images of Bart and Lisa Simpson having sex were confiscated and alarming.

Aside from copyright infringement, those characters are ten years old and younger, so that has nothing to do with real adults.

I'm not quite sure what the point of that piece was, other than "it does happen." It does. It happens all of the time, and, in most situations, it never makes the news.

I wrote this for those who want help. My advice to anyone who finds out that they're with a close genetic relative is to first and foremost, keep quiet about it, as nobody else needs to know immediately, and think about it. This is the same person you fell in love it. Finding out that you're close genetic relatives does not change who the other person is. Think about that before deciding whether or not to end or change the relationship.