Incest

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Incest: what is it and why is it prohibited?

Incest is an intimate or marital relationship between close relatives related by blood. In most countries and cultures, such relationships are strictly forbidden, both legally and morally.

One of the main reasons for the prohibition is biological risks; as children born from such unions have a much higher likelihood of genetic diseases. This is because the similar DNA set of the parents increases the risk of mutations.

Besides the medical aspects, incest is condemned on a social level. In most societies, family ties are based on trust, protection and support, and romantic relationships between relatives destroy these fundamental principles. Historically, such prohibitions existed to preserve family structure and prevent conflict and abuse.

Today, incest remains one of the most heavily tabooed phenomena, and in most countries it is regarded as a serious violation of the law and societal norms.

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Historical aspects

Incest has been found throughout human history, but attitudes have varied depending on culture, religion, and time.

1. Ancient Egypt In ancient Egypt, incest was common among the pharaohs, due to the desire to preserve the “divine” blood within the ruling dynasty. For example, in families such as the Ptolemies and the 18th century Pharaoh dynasty, marriages between siblings were common practice.
2. Ancient Greece and RomeThere are numerous instances of incest in Greek mythology, such as the bond between Zeus and his sister Hera. In real life, incestuous marriages were rare, but among the ruling elites, especially in Hellenistic dynasties (e.g., the Ptolemies), such cases were common.
3. Medieval EuropeThe Catholic Church imposed strict prohibitions on incestuous marriages, extending the taboo not only to immediate relatives but also to distant degrees of kinship (e.g., cousins). However, European nobility periodically arranged marriages between relatives to preserve power and wealth. For example, the Habsburgs practiced dynastic marriages, which resulted in the birth of offspring with genetic abnormalities.
4. Some social groups embraced or permitted marriage between individuals who are cousins as well as between more remote relations. The marital practice of cousin relationship remains normal in Arab communities due to its ability to protect family assets.

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How is incest perceived in society and why is it prohibited?

Incest is strongly socially condemned because it violates the principles on which the family is built: trust, protection and emotional support. In most cultures, such relationships are considered a serious deviation from the norm, as they disrupt the expected family dynamics and can lead to conflicts affecting not only the people involved, but the family as a whole.

One of the reasons for rejection is the threat to social order. Family ties define boundaries between relatives, helping to maintain a healthy family structure. In this sense, incest challenges these norms, which can lead to psychological disturbances and emotional or sexual exploitation within the family.

Another important aspect is to prevent abuse of power. There is always a certain hierarchy within the family, and if one relative (e.g. a parent or older brother/sister) uses their position to establish intimate relationships, this is perceived as a form of coercion and moral violation. This is why incest is condemned both from the point of view of public morality, ethics and law.

What are the dangers and consequences of incestuous relationships?

Incest is forbidden not only for moral and social reasons, but also because of serious physical and genetic risks. When close relatives engage in intimate relations, it significantly increases the likelihood that their offspring will develop severe hereditary diseases.

From a biological perspective, the main problem is that the relatives have a similar set of DNA. This means that recessive mutations, which in unrelated partners can simply “hide” in the genes, in this case are more likely to manifest themselves. As a result, children born from such unions have a higher risk of birth defects, genetic abnormalities and developmental problems.

Some of the most common consequences of incest include:

• Increased risk of inherited diseases: Inbreeding genetic mutations are more likely to appear in children if both parents carry the same defective genes. This increases the likelihood of severe diseases, including neurological and autoimmune disorders.
• Congenital malformations: Children born to close relatives are more likely to suffer from abnormalities that can affect their health from birth or manifest later in the form of cognitive and physical impairments.
• Problems with cognitive development: Studies show that these children are more likely to have developmental delays, learning difficulties and an increased risk of mental retardation.
• Decreased fertility:  Offspring of incestuous relationships may experience reproductive problems, making it more difficult for them to conceive.

All of these consequences, together with psychological and social factors, explain why incest is banned in virtually all societies. This prohibition is aimed not only at protecting moral standards, but also at preserving the health of future generations.

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