First cousins and genetic defects

[Luciana]

A childhood friend of mine found out she was pregnant. She was having an affair with a first cousin, and it's his. Now, her parents also are first cousins!

So my question is... what is the likelihood of the child having genetic defects? I'm just curious. There is no point in scaring her, plus, she has decided she will keep it, and I wouldnt interfere with that. Does anyone know?

 

[NoZed Avenger]

I don't have studies at my fingertips.

There is an increased risk, but the chance of anything negative happening is still a very small one.

 

[headscratcher4]

Just look at the british royal family, if that doesn't scare you about what happens when cousins marry, than nothing will.

 

[Lisa Simpson]

I found this when my first cousin married our second cousin. But then later I found out the second cousin is no biological relation to us, so it didn't matter.

http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/feb2002/1014847561.Ge.r.html

 

[Rolfe]

Closely related matings will increase the chance of recessive genes being expressed. These might be good, or might be bad, depending on what runs in the family. For first cousins it's no big deal - that marriage is sanctioned in many societies, including (I believe with a dispensation) Roman Catholicism.

Rolfe.

 

[Luciana]

Oh, thanks for the info. It is much less bad than I expected. This is good, if I meet a doomsayer (there will be a celebration tomorrow!), I'll make sure to use the info that I just learned. Though I confess that Lisa's link pretty much twisted my brains...

 

[geni]

Closely related matings will increase the chance of recessive genes being expressed. These might be good, or might be bad, depending on what runs in the family. For first cousins it's no big deal - that marriage is sanctioned in many societies, including (I believe with a dispensation) Roman Catholicism.

Rolfe.

CofE will accept it.

 

[Brown]

To be on the safe side, knit three booties.