Consanguinity in Context

Alan H. Bittles (Edith Cowan University, Western Australia)

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Hardback

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English

Cambridge University Press
24 May 2012

Anthropology; Genetics (non-medical); Primates

Series: Cambridge Studies in Biological and Evolutionary Anthropology

An essential guide to this major contemporary issue, Consanguinity in Context is a uniquely comprehensive account of intra-familial marriage. Detailed information on past and present religious, social and legal practices and prohibitions is presented as a backdrop to the preferences and beliefs of the 1100+ million people in consanguineous unions. Chapters on population genetics, and the role of consanguinity in reproductive behaviour and genetic variation, set the scene for critical analyses of the influence of consanguinity on health in the early years of life. The discussion on consanguinity and disorders of adulthood is the first review of its kind and is particularly relevant given the ageing of the global population. Incest is treated as a separate issue, with historical and present-day examples examined. The final three chapters deal in detail with practical issues, including genetic testing, education and counselling, national and international legislation and imperatives, and the future of consanguineous marriage worldwide.

By: Alan H. Bittles (Edith Cowan University Western Australia)
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Volume: 63
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 155mm, Spine: 19mm
Weight: 640g
ISBN: 9780521781862
ISBN 10: 0521781868
Series: Cambridge Studies in Biological and Evolutionary Anthropology
Pages: 328
Publication Date: 24 May 2012
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

1. Consanguineous marriage, past and present; 2. Religious attitudes and rulings on consanguineous marriage; 3. Civil legislation on consanguineous and affinal marriage; 4. Consanguinity: the scientific and medical debates of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries; 5. Demographic and socioeconomic aspects of consanguineous marriage; 6. A population genetics perspective on consanguinity; 7. Consanguinity and reproductive behaviour; 8. Consanguinity and metrical traits at birth and in childhood; 9. Consanguinity and pre-reproductive mortality; 10. Consanguinity and morbidity in early life; 11. Consanguinity and disorders of adulthood; 12. Incest; 13. Genetic screening, education and counselling in consanguineous marriage; 14. Whither consanguineous marriage?; 15. Consanguinity in context; References; Index.

Alan H. Bittles is Research Leader at the Centre for Comparative Genomics, Murdoch University and Adjunct Professor of Community Genetics at Edith Cowan University, Australia.

Reviews for Consanguinity in Context

'... packed with carefully collated information, covering all aspects of consanguineous marriage ... The compilation is exhaustive, fascinating and rigorously discussed ... There is so much information here, but it is all relevant, well-validated, significant and stimulating ... amazingly comprehensive, and yet readable ... this book is exactly what is needed to clarify discussions and debates about consanguinity. It deserves to be influential in scientific, political and religious thinking.' BioNews (bionews.org.uk) '... a comprehensive, balanced overview of consanguinity ... this book treats consanguinity like a prism - turning the subject this way and that to capture different reflections, both positive and negative ... Packed with fascinating facts on the history of consanguinity, and statistics comparing practices and resources between countries, Consanguinity in Context makes for 'must read' material on a complex, often controversial, issue.' OrphaNews Europe 'I found Alan Bittles' book to be extremely fascinating. Bittles provides an eye-opening and exhaustive review of the political, religious, economic, social, and biological factors impinging on consanguineous unions. His goal for this work is well summarized at the end of chapter one: '... to provide an appropriately extensive framework of information within which the subject [of consanguineous unions] can be rationally and dispassionately evaluated'. Consanguinity in Context admirably fulfils this objective.' Jamie Schwendinger-Schreck, Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine 'This book is a treasure trove of information and anecdotes on consanguineous unions.' Elof Axel Carlson, The Quarterly Review of Biology 'Consanguinity in Context is a rich, well-structured, well-written, convincing, and in many details astonishing book recommendable for students as well as for scholarly work.' Anthropos Professor Alan H. Bittles offers the reader a comprehensive, balanced overview of consanguinity - including historical, legal, medical, socioeconomic, religious and geographical perspectives. Packed with fascinating facts on the history of consanguinity, and statistics comparing practices and resources between countries, Consanguinity in Context makes for 'must read' material on a complex, often controversial, issue. OrphaNews Europe I found Alan Bittles' book to be extremely fascinating. Bittles provides an eye-opening and exhaustive review of the political, religious, economic, social, and biological factors impinging on consanguineous unions. His goal for this work is well summarized at the end of chapter one: '... to provide an appropriately extensive framework of information within which the subject [of consanguineous unions] can be rationally and dispassionately evaluated'. Consanguinity in Context admirably fulfills this objective. Jamie Schwendinger-Schreck, The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine This book is a treasure trove of information and anecdotes on consanguineous unions. Elof Axel Carlson, The Quarterly Review of Biology Consanguinity in Context is a rich, well-structured, well-written, convincing, and in many details astonishing book recommendable for students as well as for scholarly work. Anthropos