Dad-to-be discovers his pregnant wife is actually his half-sister after the pair took a private DNA test – and they’re determined to keep the baby
FINDING out your spouse is actually your sibling is pretty much everyone's worst nightmare.
And when there's a child involved, it can make the situation even more difficult.
Which is what has happened to one young couple, who have just found out they are half siblings.
Taking to Reddit to explain the situation and desperately ask for advice, the man claimed: "My wife and I have recently discovered that we share the same dad.
"We have been together for eight years and married earlier this year. We own our own home and we're expecting our first child in March 2020.
"Our bio father is still alive but we don't want anything to do with him because of this and because he was a s****y person."
The man went on to explain that their father was not in their lives and neither of their mums named him on their birth certificates.
He also explained that their parents have no idea and that he didn't want to disclose how they had found out, but that they had had a private DNA test which suggested they are half siblings.
"Despite this, our feelings for each other have not changed and we do not want to split," he said.
"We have known each other since starting school and been through some hard times together.
"I am afraid what this means for us and our child, if that means he will have any health complications in life, my wife doesn't believe in abortion personally and does not wish to terminate her first pregnancy (nor do I want her to) so we mean to see it through and hope for the best.
"We are lucky in that we don't have a history of illness in our mum's families at least so hopefully that is better luck than some."
The husband continued to explain he was terrified of anyone finding out and asked for advice from other users.
"I am terrified that we could be found out if anyone looked into our histories or if they (I heard they do this) take a DNA sample of our son for genetic testing to make sure he has no health problems and what could happen to us," he said.
"I am not even sure what to do, except maybe ensure that we do not have more biological children even if our child turns out without a problem just to be safe and adopt or something instead.
"I don't want anyone to find out so I am keeping info to minimum and I will not let anything separate us and neither will she.
"What could happen to us, what can/should we do, should I just bury it?"
And other Reddit users sympathised with the couple, with one commenting: "I agree with everything you've said.
"If you both still love each other, stay together. If you want to keep the child, keep the child.
"Try not to have any other children. Don't tell anyone about this."
While another said it was "more common than most people think".
One wrote: "I'm so sorry. It's OK to keep this from your mums, it will upset them.
"Do speak to a doctor about implications for your child. Don't hope for the best, be informed.
"You will not be reported to the police, you did not know, and you're only half siblings.
"If you live in a small town, get an appointment with a doctor next town over if you feel more comfortable with that.
"Don't have another biological child. I'm glad your love is strong. you didn't chose this, stay happy, stay together."
What are the implications of two siblings having a baby?
- If two siblings have a biological child together, there is a much higher risk of passing on a recessive disease.
- Humans have two copies of each gene - one from each parent. Copies of genes that do not work well (or at all) can cause recessive diseases (such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia) - but usually, this only happens if both copies of a gene don't work.
- For example, if one copy works but the other doesn't, the normally-functioning copy can compensate for the one that doesn't work.
- Humans all have some recessive disease genes - but there is usually a second, working copy that means we stay healthy.
- In this case, you become a "carrier" of a gene - while you don't show signs of the disease (because you have one normal copy), you can pass it on to your kids.
- Both parents must be "carriers" for the offspring to get the disease.
- For parents who aren't biologically related, it's rare for them to both be "carriers" of the same disease.
- However, for parents that are related - for example siblings - they are much more likely to carry the same faulty gene and therefore the risk that the child will inherit both of the recessive genes from each parent - and therefore develop the disease - increases dramatically.
Source: The Tech
Others, however, were less sympathetic, with several calling the couple "selfish" and others urging them to have the unborn baby tested.
One wrote: "Taking chances with the health of your baby is irresponsible and pathetic."
Another said: "You would really, really be doing your son a disservice if you chose to bring him into the world without at least preparing by arming yourself with the knowledge of the potential problems he might face.
"You didn't choose to fall in love with a half sister, but you have choices you can make now.
"In order to make sure your child is healthy, you must take them to a doctor and disclose their genetic status.
"I can't stress how important it is to find out if your family has a history of any recessive genetic disorders, likewise the standard antenatal screening isn't as relevant to you, without the knowledge that you're related doctors will just look for the most common genetic disorders, not the ones that are actually relevant to you."
What would you do?
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