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Genetics (Expert Forum)
Marrying close relatives
Answered by
Lisa Kessler, MS, CGC - Hereditary Disorders, hemochromatosis, Patient Outreach
DNA Direct
To schedule a medical genetics counseling session with one of DNA Direct's experts or to purchase a genetic test, go to www.dnadirect.com
This forum is for questions and support regarding a person’s predisposition to a variety of medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Blood-clotting Disorders, Breast Cancer, Cystic Fibrosis, Diabetes, Marfan Syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, etc.
Marrying close relatives
by babydoll86, Feb 20, 2008 09:55AM
My boyfriend's mother's father's father and my mother's father's father are brothers. So, we are considered as a second cousins or third cousins???
If we get married, will there be any problem for our offspring???
Will there be any birth defects???
Any advice for us?
Thanks!
If we get married, will there be any problem for our offspring???
Will there be any birth defects???
Any advice for us?
Thanks!
Doctor's Answer
by Lisa Kessler, MS, CGC, Feb 29, 2008 09:59AM
, Feb 29, 2008 09:59AM
The relationship that you describe would make you and your boyfriend third cousins.
Genetic counseling may help you to put your risks in context. Everyone has the risk of having children with problems, but because cousins share the same close ancestors, it is slightly more likely that they might share a disease gene.
Third cousins are predicted to share 0.78% (1/128) of their genes. In contrast, first cousins are predicted to share 12.5 % (1/8) of their genes. The closer the biological relationship is between parents, the greater proportion of genes shared, and the greater the chance to have a child with birth defects.
The background risk that every couple faces of having children with birth defects is about 2-3%. Genetic counseling will help define this for you personally based on your family history and ethnic background.
There are no special tests for cousin couples. The same tests a genetic counselor would discuss with any couple thinking about having children based on family history and ethnicity is what you should expect.
You can find a genetic counselor in your area through the National Society of Genetic Counselors or through companies like mine, DNA Direct.
Genetic counseling may help you to put your risks in context. Everyone has the risk of having children with problems, but because cousins share the same close ancestors, it is slightly more likely that they might share a disease gene.
Third cousins are predicted to share 0.78% (1/128) of their genes. In contrast, first cousins are predicted to share 12.5 % (1/8) of their genes. The closer the biological relationship is between parents, the greater proportion of genes shared, and the greater the chance to have a child with birth defects.
The background risk that every couple faces of having children with birth defects is about 2-3%. Genetic counseling will help define this for you personally based on your family history and ethnic background.
There are no special tests for cousin couples. The same tests a genetic counselor would discuss with any couple thinking about having children based on family history and ethnicity is what you should expect.
You can find a genetic counselor in your area through the National Society of Genetic Counselors or through companies like mine, DNA Direct.
now i want to get married with my first cousin who love each other.
my question is that what is the risk of have defect childern from this relationship and second how high is the risk??