XPost: alt.fan.heinlein   
   From: ldo@nz.invalid   
      
   On Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:13:23 -0500, Cryptoengineer wrote:   
      
   > On 2/12/2026 12:51 AM, Lawrence D’Oliveiro wrote:   
   >>   
   >> On Thu, 12 Feb 2026 03:07:57 +0000, danny burstein wrote:   
   >>   
   >>> Heinlein's character is initially disapproving, but then works out   
   >>> the actual math (at least as he figures it) and regards to   
   >>> inbreeding of genetic issues, determines it's pretty small, and   
   >>> has them go for it.   
   >>   
   >> The Egyptian Royals had brother marrying sister, because royal   
   >> blood was considered too precious to dilute with that from   
   >> commoners.   
   >>   
   >> At least, this was true of the Ptolemaic Dynasty (the one with all   
   >> the Cleopatras). What would that kind of thing do to the gene pool   
   >> after a few generations straight?   
   >   
   > Much earlier, both Akhenaten and Tutankhamen show genetic issues due   
   > to inbreeding.   
      
   Just those two? Because they were part of ancient Egypt’s brief fling   
   with monotheism. Coincidence?   
      
   Oh, and another SF-relevant reference: Theodore Sturgeon’s short story   
   “If All Men Were Brothers, Would You Let One Marry Your Sister?”,   
   which I read in one of Harlan Ellison’s “Dangerous Visions”   
   collections.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)