Dear Ann Landers,
s it all right for a father to have sex with his daughter if both are consenting adults? I am 37, and my daughter, "Jean," is 20. My wife passed away two years ago. After she became ill, Jean assumed all the household responsibilities, and we became very close. We live here, just the two of us, and she is a wonderful cook and housekeeper. We have the same likes and dislikes and are compatible in every way. Jean is pretty and I am still a young man. Rather than move out of a home that she loves and look for a husband (and risk getting AIDS), Jean says she wants to stay with me. We have a wonderful time to-gether. She hasn't dated in several months because she would prefer to be with me more than any of the young men she knows. I love her company and am not interested in anyone else. Can a man legally marry his daughter? Please do not publish my name as it is a very controversial subject and I don't want to be ha-rassed. P.S. Does the Old Testament say anything about this? -Mr. X

Dear Mr. X,
According to John Beckstrom, professor of family law at Northwestern University Law School, it is not legal anywhere in the United States for a father and daughter to knowingly marry each other. Such a marriage would not be valid. In fact, in many states the father would be prosecuted for criminal incest. You asked about the Old Testament: The Book of Leviticus makes it abundantly clear that it is a sin to approach "any that is near of kin." Although you didn't ask for my opinion, Mr. X, I feel compelled to say that you and your daughter sound as if you are two sandwiches short of a picnic. Your letter is one of the sickest I've read in years. If you want Jean to have a decent life, please get her into counseling and find a woman who is suitable for marriage.