I do think that part of the shuddering, visceral response to incest comes from the evolutionary process of the human body. We, as a functioning life-form, have evolved to reproduce in a certain way that requires certain factors to be in place. The human as a particular life-form cannot successfully reproduce and create desirable genetic traits with incestuous breeding. There are some responses built into living beings that help safeguard them against things like this (for example, we all fear falling and loud noises at birth). We have evolved to *some* extent to find breeding (and associated acts, even if it's not specifically vaginal intercourse) unappealing as a genetic safeguard.
I'm sure you know all this, but... the evolutionary process did not create such a strong response for the other things you listed. Sure there is SOME for homosexuality (we do need to reproduce, after all) but as to the degree... it's debatable. I would say that gay relationships just don't harm the success of our species as incest relationships do. Nor do inter-racial ones. That might help answer the question as to why incest 'rights' are treated differently.
There have been times where incest was acceptable - and look at the health and genetic consequences. They speak for themselves, if you know your history.
All this being said, I had a huge crush on my cousin when I was younger :P I can even empathize a little... but again, I'm going with "shades of grey"
The (Im)morality of Incest?
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I do think that part of the shuddering, visceral response to incest comes from the evolutionary process of the human body. We, as a functioning life-form, have evolved to reproduce in a certain way that requires certain factors to be in place. The human as a particular life-form cannot successfully reproduce and create desirable genetic traits with incestuous breeding. There are some responses built into living beings that help safeguard them against things like this (for example, we all fear falling and loud noises at birth). We have evolved to *some* extent to find breeding (and associated acts, even if it's not specifically vaginal intercourse) unappealing as a genetic safeguard.
I'm sure you know all this, but... the evolutionary process did not create such a strong response for the other things you listed. Sure there is SOME for homosexuality (we do need to reproduce, after all) but as to the degree... it's debatable. I would say that gay relationships just don't harm the success of our species as incest relationships do. Nor do inter-racial ones. That might help answer the question as to why incest 'rights' are treated differently.
There have been times where incest was acceptable - and look at the health and genetic consequences. They speak for themselves, if you know your history.
All this being said, I had a huge crush on my cousin when I was younger :P I can even empathize a little... but again, I'm going with "shades of grey"