Family marriage, heavenly marriage or genetic error?

In Islam, consanguineous marriages are not only not forbidden, but are also recommended. The marriage of a cousin's daughter and a cousin's son is even considered a sacred bond and a covenant made in heaven; one of the religious reasons for this? The marriage of the daughter of the Muslim prophet to the first Shiite Imam.

Today, however, genetic science speaks of frightening possibilities in the fate of the children resulting from these marriages. Possibilities that have been documented in many examples over the years. Science says that genetic mutations in these marriages can increase the chances of genetic disorders in the children resulting from these marriages.

In this week's Taboo, Dr. Taghi Kimiai Asadi, a neurologist in Washington, and Ayatollah Mohammad Mousavi Bojnourdi in Tehran discuss the same issue.

Mr. Mousavi Bojnourdi: What is Islam's view on family marriage, the most important form of which is now the marriage of cousins, which is also said in Iranian culture to be a marriage made in heaven, and other such points? It seems that Islam has recommended this type of marriage more.

Mohammad Mousavi Bojnourdi: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. For example, we see that the master of the Amir al-Mu'minin and Hazrat Fatima, the great and beautiful, peace be upon them, married each other. They were cousins ​​and cousins. Similarly, Hazrat Zaynab married her cousin Abdullah ibn Ja'far, the brother of Amir al-Mu'minin, peace be upon him, and Zaynab, who is the daughter of the Amir al-Mu'minin, also married each other. It was a very common thing for a cousin to marry his cousin.

I was born in Najaf, and even in Iraq, I remember that a cousin's daughter could not marry anyone else. She had to marry her own cousin. I mean, it's Arab culture, and in Arabs, it's the way they see it, and it's not right for a cousin to marry a stranger. A cousin's daughter has to marry her cousin. This is the culture, and "our daughters are for our sons." That is, our daughters are for our sons. Because an Arab considers his brother's son to be his own son.

. That is, there was a culture in the Arab world that Islam also followed, that the closest person to a cousin is his cousin, because they are from the same culture, lineage, and blood, and Islam says that both should be kafu to each other. That is, in terms of culture and everything, a man and a woman who want to get married should be kafu to each other. For example, we see some of our young people from Iran, Iraq, and Islamic countries go to Europe and get married, even though they are not kafu. The kafu of a Muslim man is a Muslim woman. In my opinion, this is an innate issue.

Let us go back to Dr. Kimiai and talk to him about the points you raised. Dr. Kimiai Asadi, Mr. Mousavi Bojnourdi talked about lineage and blood. Couldn't that be the issue? Because in terms of genetics, it's about the fact that being of the same blood can have consequences that may not be very pleasant.

Taghi Kimiai Asadi: On average, every human has one to two very dangerous mutations in their genes that are recessive. A recessive gene is a gene that must be present on both chromosomes if it is to appear. A dominant gene is one that can cause disease if it is present on only one chromosome.

We are mostly looking for these recessive genes in consanguineous marriages that can be inherited from both sides. Now, these one or two mutations that I said are recessive and are in everyone can also occur in non-consanguineous marriages, but there are a lot of very small mutations that exist in families, and if they marry each other, the chance of recessive genes appearing is much higher. Because one is inherited from the father and one from the mother, and these parents are related, and the chance of recessive genes appearing is 25%. That is, 25% of their children may have this recessive gene and develop a profound genetic disorder. 50% of the children will be carriers of this gene, and again, if they marry each other in the next generations, the same genetic disorders will appear. 25% of them will also get lucky and this gene will disappear in them.

We see this in history, where European royal families intermarried and were diagnosed with very severe diseases like hemophilia, learning disabilities, and behavioral disorders, and now they don't intermarry at all. It even happened in my own family. My parents were cousins, and I had a brother who had a very, very rare syndrome that only 300 cases have been reported, and he never walked; it was just because my parents were related that he was diagnosed with this rare genetic disorder.

Let us return to Mr. Mousavi Bojnourdi and see what his response is to the points you made. Mr. Mousavi Bojnourdi, the doctor says that the possibility and chance of genetic disorders in this type of marriage is very high anyway. You point to the religious historical background that, for example, the first Imam of the Shiites and the daughter of the Prophet of Islam were related, but the doctor's words actually follow the scientific concern that it has been proven that genetic disorders occur. What answer do you want to give?

Mousavi Bojnourdi: I was born in Najaf. I was fully aware of these issues there. In the Arabs of Iraq, a cousin's daughter belongs to her cousin, and no one dares to marry a girl who has a cousin. She should marry him. By God's grace, I saw marriages there that were possible and I never heard of any disorder. Based on my experience and observations, I never saw one. There was not even a single case where there were any disorders in their children. My wife is my cousin. We are cousins. We have been married for 51 years now and have five children, three sons and two daughters; God's grace, now you are also a wife - each one more beautiful and healthier than the other.

Be healthy.

Mousavi Bojnourdi: (Laughs) Everyone is educated. I look at myself, and although it is cousin marriage, it is not like that. I look at Iraq, and although they are very strict about cousin marriage, it is not like that.

Of course, Mr. Mousavi Bojnourdi, the point you raise that a cousin's daughter belongs to her cousin - I'm quoting you - or that in this culture a cousin's daughter must marry her cousin - in this culture, this is also questionable because it questions the freedom of choice of individuals, especially women. Perhaps a woman really doesn't want to marry her cousin.

Mousavi Bojnourdi: Of course, if she doesn't want to, it's not mandatory. Let me tell you this. The cousin has priority. That is, if she has several suitors, the first cousin is the one. Now, if a cousin has a left eye, is bald, or something, then he won't take it. This is not mandatory. Due to affection and love, a cousin is very close to her cousin or cousin or cousin. They say that we are of the same blood and much of our culture is similar, and our characteristics and traits are very close.

Dr. Kimiai, of course, I know that a scientific discussion cannot be advanced with one or two examples, but Mr. Mousavi Bojnourdi also mentions that this has happened to him, and in addition to his religious or cultural beliefs, he also shares his personal experience. Could you explain how we can explain the cases where these marriages have taken place and nothing happened?

Kimiai Asadi: Yes, well, fortunately they are not carriers of a mutated gene. They do not have a mutated gene that is pathogenic. Look, there is a gene called MAO monoamine oxidase type A, which is actually responsible for the metabolism of the hormone catecholamines and controls a person's mood and behavior. If there is a disorder in this gene, the children who are born are extremely violent.

I don't know if Iraq, which has been so violent throughout history and has been beheaded since the time of the Prophet, Imam Hussein, and has also been the scene of war and massacre, really has the same disorder in the same MAO type A gene that still shows such violence? Is there such a gene in Iraqis that is so common due to cousin marriages, and this gene is so common that they show such violence together?

Of course, this is not an insult to Iraqis or nationalism. But in general, there are more than 100 mutations that occur genetically, and if it occurs in parents who marry each other, their children will definitely be affected by it in 25% of cases, and it will also pass from one generation to the next. The more they marry, the more these mutations increase, and in fact, they turn from genotype to phenotype.

If anyone is familiar with neurological diseases or blood diseases like hemophilia or other diseases that are genetically inherited or these syndromes that make people antisocial, they will see that most of these are due to the inheritance of recessive genes and mostly appear in families.

Mr. Mousavi Bojnourdi, so the question here is that if the belief that the marriage of a cousin's daughter and a cousin's son, which is sometimes even said to be a sacred marriage, was also in the tradition of the Muslim Imams... but if, for example, you know that such a consequence and result can occur, then will you still say that this marriage, since it took place between the first Imam of the Shiites and the daughter of the Prophet of Islam, is a marriage that can be defended?

Mousavi Bojnourdi: Well, my specialty is law, jurisprudence, and philosophy. But in my opinion, experience is higher than scientific knowledge. I said that I was born in the city of Najaf and I was a very social person and connected with people, whether in Karbala, Najaf, or other places. I have not seen a single case where anyone has come to say that. Because I also said there that they have a rule that a cousin's daughter belongs to a cousin. I have not seen or heard of a single case where their children are disabled. The observations and experiences I have had throughout this time [show the opposite]. There is a decree from the Commander of the Faithful that says, "Our daughters are for our sons," which is a prohibition, meaning that a cousin's daughter belongs to a cousin. This issue is a cultural requirement for them, and I have never heard of a single case where their children are disabled.

Now, we have discussed more about the Islamic world or the Iranian and Middle Eastern society here, but Dr. Kimiai, in America, where we are, I think there are only six states that have banned marriage between what is called first cousins , cousins ​​and other forms of this family marriage. In some of these states, it has been said that if they are over 65 and want to marry, there is no problem, in six states it is banned in general and in the rest of the states there is no ban. If this genetic concern exists scientifically, why do we see that in a society like America, the situation does not make a major difference?

Kimiai Asadi: Look at how many issues are raised here. One is personal perceptions that have no value in science, meaning no one can claim that their personal perceptions can be generalized to society. Another point is that traditions are all under question. All traditional behaviors, whether religious or non-religious, are under question, from circumcision to cousin marriage.

There are still a lot of prohibitions in the Christian tradition. But in America, when cousins ​​marry or are close relatives, they are monitored from the time of pregnancy, and genetic tests are performed on the baby's amniotic fluid, and the baby is regularly sonogrammed, and if there is a disorder, the baby is aborted and not allowed to be born.

Let me say one more thing: from a social perspective, when daughters and sons of a family grow up together, their sexual desire for each other generally decreases. This has been studied in depth by the Chinese. If cousins ​​from Iran, Iraq, etc. grow up closely together, their sexual desire for each other decreases, and men often pursue other women, and perhaps this is one of the roots of polygamy or polyandry.

Mousavi Bojnourdi: May I answer?

Please, please.

Mousavi Bojnourdi: First of all, Ms. Banda herself is my cousin and I am her cousin. When she married me, she was 14 years old and I was 18. The same love and affection that we had then, if not increased, still remains today. And then, basically, do you accept that experience can interfere with scientific theories?

Kimiai Asadi: Personal experiences have no value.

Mousavi Bojnourdi: No, society. A society experiences something. Can it interfere with scientific theories?

Kimiai Asadi: Provided that an impartial scientist examines the results of social behavior and takes accurate statistics on several thousand cases, then it has value. But individual experience has no value.

Mousavi Bojnourdi: It is now famous in the Arab world. They say that experience is the greatest proof. I told you that in Iraq, 90 percent of marriages are between cousins.

Kimiai Asadi: Do you know what really goes on in these homes? How many of their children are stillborn? Or are the children born and left to die? Because they are severely ill and severely retarded? I am sure that in societies like Iraq, the number of mentally retarded people must be much higher than in the West, given what you are saying. Your experience is quite limited and no conclusions can be drawn from it at all.

Mousavi Bojnourdi: Allow me to make my request.

Yes, please, Mr. Mousavi Bojnourdi.

Mousavi Bojnourdi: Look, my father was one of the great religious authorities there. We are in a family that was related to most of the people. They were related to us and we were related. That is, I am aware. As the doctor says, he imagines that I am sitting at home and closing the door and talking to myself. I am not talking about myself. I was a person who was related to the community there. I do not remember a single case in the 20 years I was in Najaf where I saw their children disabled.

Kimiai Asadi: I mean, the claim they make, like the genetics of Iraqis are different from other people. I don't think that's true.

Mousavi Bojnourdi: (laughs) That's a strange thing... Are genetics different? It's the same form in all humans.

Kimiai Asadi: Let me give you an example. There is a substance in the brain called dopamine, and dopamine number two has receptors that encode its receptors on chromosome number eleven. If this mutase has it, neither of the parents may be alcoholics (addicted to alcohol), but if they are cousins, their child will definitely become an alcoholic or an addict when they grow up. 25 percent of their children.

This is proven, or if they are carriers of the phenylketonuria gene, which is responsible for 1% of the retardation, that is, in fact, a large number of people, especially Jews who intermarry a lot, are carriers of this disease and their children develop phenylketonuria. The best example I can give for communities is the Jewish community. Because the Jews have not mixed themselves with other communities, practically the vast majority of genetic diseases that can be diagnosed were diagnosed in the Jews first. Very rare diseases that are not seen in larger groups and communities.

If you read the statistics on genetic disorders, you will see that they are more common in Jewish families.

Mr. Mousavi Bojnourdi, one point Mr. Kimiai made about the decrease in sexual desire and attraction because the cousin and cousin's daughter have grown up together since childhood, and this can cause problems. If you have any explanation for this, I think it would be good to provide it, and then we can basically hear your conclusion on the subject.

Mousavi Bojnourdi: It's been about 50 years since we got married, and believe me, the love and affection I had before has not diminished at all... neither on my part nor on his.

Kimiai Asadi: Can I ask, did you and your wife grow up together or separately?

Mousavi Bojnourdi: No, my lady was in Iran. I used to come to Iran in the summers. He was in Khorasan. I went there and saw him and liked him and we got married quickly and now 50 years have passed and now I am still as interested as the day I liked him. I want to say that it is not universal. It may be in some people but it is not universal. If you want to prove a scientific theory, it must be universal, not in some cases and I will generalize and say that everyone is like this. Do you accept this, Doctor?

Kimiai Asadi: This case you mentioned does not apply to you, but they have studied this issue in depth in the Chinese, who grew up together, causing them to look at each other like siblings. This is a genetic code that is laid down, and if someone grows up with someone else, naturally this genetic code reduces sexual desire. You and your cousin were complete strangers in this regard.

Mousavi Bojnourdi: Yes, I had not seen him.

Kimiai Asadi: Yes, and you didn't have a genetic disorder and you were lucky, but they advise you not to let your children marry their cousins, cousins, or cousins, aunts, or anyone else.

Mousavi Bojnourdi: Even in psychology, experience is a strong argument, and we shouldn't just go by the formulas we make up. Cousin with cousin, cousin with cousin, these marriages are very common, both in Iran and in Najaf, and I haven't seen a single case where their children are disabled, retarded, or have a physical defect.

But I also consider the doctor a scholar who is an expert in this field and I don't want to interfere, but empirically and based on the religious texts that we have, which emphasize that you should not marry a stranger if you can, because you know their culture well and are familiar with them and you can live well together. Now, let me go and get a stranger. I have been a member of the Supreme Judicial Council for 12 years. I rarely saw a divorce between families. Usually, those who married strangers because their cultures were different would have differences and lead to divorce.

Mr. Dr. Kimiaie, well, that is Mr. Mousavi Bojnourdi's opinion . In fact, they support it, they say that there are even fewer differences, and they recommend it. What advice would you have in your conclusion and what points would you like to raise?

Kimiai Asadi: My advice is that the closer the consanguineous marriages, the higher the chance of genetic disorders. Genetic disorders are not only a cause of a child becoming paralyzed or blind. Or even mentally retarded in general. They may also be a cause of violent behavior and an increased tendency towards addiction and alcoholism.

These are all genetic and they all have recessive genes that increase with consanguineous marriages. Especially mental illnesses like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, some of their genes are known, and consanguineous marriages increase the chances of these. That's why I highly recommend that you marry as far away from your family as you can. This creates genetic diversity and not only reduces the chances of diseases, but also increases the chances that your children will be more intelligent. Because many of these mutations are mild and reduce intelligence in children. If you marry from very distant families, the chances of them having these mutations are less and the chances that your child will be more intelligent increase.

Source: Radio Farda