The Origins of the Incest Taboo Are Unclear, Even After

question 12

Multiple Choice

The origins of the incest taboo are unclear, even after decades of careful study. One theory holds that the taboo is due to a fear of creating genetic defects in offspring. What is one argument against this theory?

• A) If a harmful trait runs in a family, systematic inbreeding will increase the possibility of the defective gene being passed along.
• B) Surveys show that most people do not believe that incest leads to genetic defects.
• C) Incest taboos predate any scientific understanding of human genetics, so this could not be the cause.
• D) The human genome project has shown that incest does not result in genetic damage.

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Definitions:

Incremental Cost

The additional cost associated with producing one more unit of a product or service.

Marginal Cost

The increase or decrease in the total cost of a product when the production volume is increased by one unit.

Opportunity Costs

The cost of an alternative that must be forgone to pursue a certain action, representing the benefits that could have been received by taking an alternative action.

Economic Costs

The total cost of choosing one action over another, including both explicit costs (direct payment) and implicit costs (opportunity costs).