Matt> Of course it's not an absolute. Reproductive biology, like much of science, is a matter of statistics and percentages. However, in terms of probabilities, I believe it is statistically significant that genetic defects become more likely at the consanguinity of first cousins (Yama and Sora could actually be worse - if they're uncle and niece, they'd be TWICE as consanguinous than first cousins). Any pair more separated than that usually falls under background odds.
But the issue is never a single pairing; it's continuous pairing over time. THAT'S why scent markers would matter. In a clan that's quite communal and not likely to look outwards to expand their genetic stock, you've got to have a strong means to avoid the inherent inbreeding potential. Otherwise, several generations down the line, you wind up with things like the Habsburg jaw. Admittedly, some genetic similarity can be a good thing. Data from Iceland, a historically tiny and isolated population, indicates that relatively close relatives along the line of second and third cousins may actually result in slightly higher fertility; for a species with reproduction as limited as gargoyles, that's definitely a good thing.
Still, isolated gene pools are always at risk. I live in Ohio and we have some first-hand experience dealing with this. Our Amish population in Geauga County, for example, is about 10% of the population but has 50% of the special needs cases, DESPITE a first cousin taboo. There's even a rare seizure disorder with twelve sufferers worldwide...and they're all Amish.
Basically, endogamy (the practice of marrying within a specific ethnic group, class, or social group) can be dangerous in the long term. Eventually, outcrossing/outbreeding is necessary to maintain genetic diversity. A natural selection push against consanguinity (such as gargoyle scent markers) makes sense from a long-term biological point of view. In the short-term, however, one pair of kissing cousins isn't the end of the clan.
Brainiac - [OSUBrainiac at gmail dot com]
"It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known."
posted @ Sun, Apr 26, 2015 10:18:13 pm EDT from 71.72.180.87
