http://www.channel4.com/programmes/dispatches/episode-guide/series-68/episode-1

I just wondered what people thoughts were on this program and if it bears any relaion to close relative matings in dogs and if the consequences would be the same ?

I don't know enough about it to make any relavant comment but interested to know people views who have more in depth knowledge of the subject :-)

I think in theory it is similar to close relative matings in dogs.  I guess dog breeders then have the choice though, if a condition appears after a close mating, to bring some new blood in next time.  Also because the gene pool within any given breed is still relatively small compared to a whole population of humans, the results of such a mating are relatively predictable - ie a lot is known about which breeds are susceptible to which conditions.  In humans it's often a completely new, unexpected and tragic occurrence.

For what it's worth the documentary looks like sensational, anti-muslim rubbish though!  My boss was asked to appear on it but declined because of the programme maker's obvious desire for conflict!!!!

I would imagine the practise is not one off cousin marriage but first cousins marrying over generations which will mean that cousins marrying re the result of earlier cousin marriages, so in fact  their relatiosnhisp are much closer than one off first cousin.

The main issue is there is no positive selection for health or temperament in these marriages, most livestock does not mate close relatives randomly.

So what line is your boss in then ?

I did think Dispatched was one of the better documentry programs and it would be interesting to see the studies it mentions in the right up.

He's the head our our group which studies rare recessive genetic disorders... many of which are seen more commonly in children of first cousin marriages.  Without families like this, most genes responsible for genetic conditions would never have been identified.

Actually, just read the blurb on the link... it sounds far more balanced than it appears to from the advert, or from what my boss was saying.  I'll be watching anyway, but I'm more interested now :-)