Germany to consider decriminalizing incest

The German Ethics Council is advising the country to decriminalize incest between siblings.

UPI reports that that the council includes a variety of professionals, from doctors to theologians and lawyers. The council's recommendation was made public Wednesday.

To support their recommendation, the council stated that statistics show sibling incest is a very rare occurrence in Western societies.

The council stated, "The right of adult siblings to sexual self-determination weighs heavier in these cases than the abstract good of the family."

The council's recommendation would only apply to incestuous relationships involving adult siblings; incest between parents and children would still be illegal.