XPost: alt.fan.heinlein   
   From: petertrei@gmail.com   
      
   On 2/12/2026 7:05 PM, Lawrence D’Oliveiro wrote:   
   > 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.   
      
   I haven't researched it. Akhenaten we have realistic portraits of,   
   unlike most Pharaohs . Tutankhamen we can look at his mummy and see   
   that he had a club foot, among other problems.   
      
      
   pt   
      
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