Mona Chalabi: Is it really that bad to marry my cousin?

Is it really that bad to marry my cousin?

There are things we accept as obvious truths that aren't necessarily backed up by data. A primary example: cousin marriage being taboo. In this episode, data journalist Mona Chalabi looks at the numbers behind our family trees to reveal that cousin marriage is much more common and much less "ick" than you might think. Want to hear more from Mona? Check out her podcast Am I Normal? with Mona Chalabi, from the TED Audio Collective.

Many cultures consider cousin marriage taboo, but data reveals it has been a widespread and historically accepted practice. Around 10 percent of families globally are headed by couples who are second cousins or closer, totaling over 750 million people. While fears about birth defects have driven stigma, scientific research shows the increased risk is relatively minor. Shifting attitudes and legal bans in places like the US are shaped more by social norms than by clear evidence of harm.