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A method for the study of incest

A method for the study of incest BY CHARLES J. MACLEAN Population Genetics Section, Human Genetics Branch, National Institute of Dental Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 2001 4 AND MORTON S. ADAMS Department of Anatomy, Division of Genetics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14620 Incest results in the highest inbreeding intensity attained in man. Although the results of such close inbreeding would be valuable in answering basic questions concerning the human genome, investigators have never been able to collect enough data to make use of this source of information. The difficulty in obtaining data arises not so much from the rarity of incest as from potential bias due t o the incest taboo. Because incest is usually hidden if possible, cases with unfortunate outcome are more likely to come to light than those which present no difficulty. Data must therefore be ascertained prospectively. I n addition, violation of such a powerful sanction usually has drastic legal and social consequences which may affect the data in subtle ways. However, in certain situations bias is a t a minimum. While parent-child incest invariably constitutes a significantly disturbed social and psychological situation, sibling incest may not. Incestuous relationships among young http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Annals of Human Genetics Wiley

A method for the study of incest

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References (2)

Publisher
Wiley
Copyright
Copyright © 1973 Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company
ISSN
0003-4800
eISSN
1469-1809
DOI
10.1111/j.1469-1809.1973.tb00594.x
Publisher site
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Abstract

BY CHARLES J. MACLEAN Population Genetics Section, Human Genetics Branch, National Institute of Dental Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 2001 4 AND MORTON S. ADAMS Department of Anatomy, Division of Genetics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14620 Incest results in the highest inbreeding intensity attained in man. Although the results of such close inbreeding would be valuable in answering basic questions concerning the human genome, investigators have never been able to collect enough data to make use of this source of information. The difficulty in obtaining data arises not so much from the rarity of incest as from potential bias due t o the incest taboo. Because incest is usually hidden if possible, cases with unfortunate outcome are more likely to come to light than those which present no difficulty. Data must therefore be ascertained prospectively. I n addition, violation of such a powerful sanction usually has drastic legal and social consequences which may affect the data in subtle ways. However, in certain situations bias is a t a minimum. While parent-child incest invariably constitutes a significantly disturbed social and psychological situation, sibling incest may not. Incestuous relationships among young

Journal

Annals of Human Genetics – Wiley

Published: Jan 1, 1973

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