Tuesday, March 21, 2006

And point taken, re: mutts

You know how people in our society often complain that, if it weren't for those five extra pounds, they'd no longer be single? Or maybe it's the occasional zit. Or that degree from a non-Ivy university.

Clearly not all people think along these lines:

One of the lab's breakthroughs was solving the genetic puzzle that caused members of three extended families to be born without eyes. One of the families was in Gaza, another in the Negev, and one was a Jewish family of Syrian-descent living in Jerusalem.

One member of the Gaza family is Ramzi Abu Aljidian, 24, who like his sister has eyelids but no eyes underneath them. He is pleased his family's participation in the research was fruitful.

"We want to prevent such cases in the future," said Mr. Abu Aljidian, who added that his condition persuaded him not to marry within the family. Mr. Abu Aljidian married a woman who is not a relative, and the couple have two normal, healthy children.

The man has no eyes, and he got married. Before the age of 25. Not even to a cousin. Something to think about.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I read some figures awhile ago on the number of Iraqis married to 1st cousins and was around 50% from memory. Another part of their culture I'll never understand.

Jennifer said...

i watched this special on tv the other day about a woman with half a body (i.e. no legs). for some reason, i thought half a body as sliced down, vertically. perhaps there is something wrong with me... but anyway, she's married! with a kid!

inspiring, yes?