Editing Incest taboo (section)

===Limits to biological evolution of taboo===
While it is theoretically possible that [[natural selection]] may, under certain [[genetics|genetic]] circumstances, select for individuals that [[instinct]]ively avoid mating with (close) relatives, incest will still exist in the gene pool because even genetically weakened, [[inbreeding|inbred]] individuals are better watchposts against [[predator]]s than none at all, and weak individuals are useful for the stronger individuals in the group as looking out for predators without being able to seriously compete with the stronger individuals.<ref>E. O. Wilson, Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge, New York, Knopf, 1998</ref><ref>The Blind Watchmaker: Why the Evidence of Evolution Reveals a Universe without Design, Richard Dawkins, 1986</ref>{{Dubious|date=April 2020}} Additionally, protecting the health of closer relatives and their inbred offspring is more evolutionarily advantageous than punishing said relative, especially in a context where predation and [[starvation]] are significant factors, as opposed to a rich [[welfare state]].<ref>Gorrell J.C., McAdam A.G., Coltman D.W., Humphries M.M., Boutin S., Jamieson C.; McAdam, Andrew G.; Coltman, David W.; Humphries, Murray M.; Boutin, Stan (June 2010). "Adopting kin enhances inclusive fitness in asocial red squirrels". Nature Communications 1</ref><ref>Wright, Sewall (1922). "Coefficients of inbreeding and relationship". American Naturalist 56</ref>