Inbreeding Health Dictionary

The birth of o?spring to parents who are closely related (see CONSANGUINOUS). In traditional rural communities, marriage between cousins was common and this could lead to a higher-than-average number of children with congenital anomalies or learning diffculties. This is now seen in certain ethnic groups who have brought the custom of inbreeding with them to their new homes in the western world.

n. the production of offspring by parents who are closely related; for example, who are first cousins or siblings. The amount of inbreeding in a population is largely controlled by culture and tradition. Compare outbreeding.