Question
My grandfather’s mother is my grandmother’s father’s cousin. They are close relatives who married each other. My parents are not close relatives, but my elder sister is slightly mentally retarded. Is this related to the marriage of close relatives? If I marry a healthy girl who is not a close relative, will my child have mental retardation problems?
Answer
Hello! Based on your description, your grandfather and grandmother are close relatives, which may increase the risk of genetic diseases in the family. However, since your parents are not close relatives, the risk after their marriage is relatively low. As for your elder sister’s condition, each person’s health status is unique, and it’s difficult to determine whether the cause is solely due to the marriage of close relatives. As for you personally, if you choose to marry a healthy girl who is not a close relative, according to current medical knowledge, your child will not have mental retardation problems due to your family history. However, due to the complexity of genetic factors, we cannot completely rule out any risks. Therefore, it is recommended that you undergo genetic counseling and relevant examinations before marriage to obtain a more personalized risk assessment and advice. It’s fine to marry a healthy girl who is not a close relative. Best wishes to you!