Medical and Scientific Verifications Behind Milk-Sibling Marriage Prohibition Worldwide

Abstract

Abstract

The prohibition of marriage between "milk siblings" is a deeply rooted cultural and religious practice across various societies, particularly within Islamic traditions. While often attributed to religious injunctions, this paper explores the potential underlying medical and scientific justifications for this prohibition. Drawing parallels with the known genetic risks associated with consanguineous marriages (marriages between blood relatives), this review examines emerging scientific understanding of breast milk composition, including the transfer of genetic material and epigenetic factors, and discusses how such transfers might contribute to a biological relatedness that could warrant similar precautionary measures against procreation. The paper also delves into the historical and anthropological context of milk kinship and the potential for ancient societies to have observed adverse

outcomes from such unions, leading to the establishment of these prohibitions .