Saudi Arabia's cousin-marriage epidemic

World Net Daily ^ | 5/11/05

[NavVet]

Saudi Arabian men's habit of marrying their first cousins is creating a health and cultural crisis in the kingdom, says an analyst of international affairs who has studied demographic issues in the Muslim state.

[NavVet]

This explains a lot.

[Dog Gone]

It keeps the money within the family.

[Martin Tell]

I thought it was camels or goats.

Maybe that was their first cousin's camel.

Or was it their first camel's cousin?

So confusing.

[Cornpone]

"Saudi Arabian men's habit of marrying their first cousins is creating a health and cultural crisis in the kingdom..."

Like there wasn't one already? I think soon they will be so desperate that marriage to sisters will be allowed...at least I hope so. Coneheads are so cute.

[martin_fierro]

[escapefromboston]

The article says that "practice of marrying blood relatives, known as consanguinity, is beginning to reap dire consequences" but then also state that it has been going on for 100 generations? Shouldn't the problems have happened hundreds years ago or so?? Its not like they are all chinless freaks with bad teeth and big ears (no offense to Prince Charles).

[SquirrelKing]

Cousins make dozens.

[nuke rocketeer]

And people make fun of Appalachian hillbillies! The Saudis make them look smart.

[Maceman]

consanguinity "literally threatens the gene pool of [the Gulf nations'] societies, making each generation physically weaker."

Perhaps this explains the Israeli saying: "If you have to have enemies, be grateful they are Arabs."

[fishtank]

Cousin's first camel.