Posted by the mollusk at user216-178-90-42.netcarrier.net on January 22, 2003 at 03:55:52:
'Not Another Arkansas': Kissin' Cousins in Minnesota
Minnesota Democrats want to make it legal for first cousins to marry.
The bill's sponsors, Democrat state Reps. Phyllis Kahn of Minneapolis and Cy Thao of St. Paul, say that recent scientific studies found that offspring of first cousins are at no extra risk of genetic defects.
"Thao, one of two Hmong legislators, said such unions are not uncommon in that culture. Kahn said the law also is a problem for Somali immigrants," the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported.
Rep. Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, joked that the legislation could clash with Gov. Tim Pawlenty's frequent promise "not to turn us into another Arkansas."