Marrying a first cousin, while legal in some jurisdictions, carries significant genetic risks for the offspring. Children born from such unions have an increased chance of inheriting genetic disorders due to the higher likelihood of inheriting identical disease-causing genes from both parents. This elevated genetic risk can lead to severe health issues, including intellectual disability, birth defects, and an increased susceptibility to chronic diseases. As a result, many countries have laws against first-cousin marriages to protect the health and well-being of future generations.
