Marriages between people who are related is more common than you might think. Unlike what many people think, their offspring are not doomed to birth defects or medical problems. In fact, unless they both carry the same gene mutation, the couples chance of having a healthy child is almost as high as any other couple.

Is it okay to have a baby with your third cousin?

The researchers suggest marrying third and fourth cousins is so optimal for reproduction because they sort of have the best of both worlds. While first-cousin couples could have inbreeding problems, couples who are far-removed from each other could have genetic incompatibilities.

Can cousins have a normal baby?

Contrary to widely held beliefs and longstanding taboos in America, first cousins can have children together without a great risk of birth defects or genetic disease, scientists are reporting today. They say there is no biological reason to discourage cousins from marrying.

What will happen if you have a baby with your sister?

The risk for passing down a genetic disease is much higher for siblings than first cousins. To be more specific, two siblings who have kids together have a higher chance of passing on a recessive disease to their kids.