A contentious debate has erupted in the UK following the government’s suggestion that there are benefits to marriages between first cousins. While such unions are permitted across numerous nations and religious beliefs, the NHS has come under fire for promoting them. The NHS compared potential genetic risks with those of late parenthood or substance use during pregnancy.
These marriages have been legal in the UK since the 16th century. The law prevents marriages among immediate family members, but not first cousins. A Conservative MP has proposed legislation to ban these marriages, citing potential health issues. The bill is set for a further parliamentary review. The NHS England’s Genomics Education Programme published an article weighing the pros and cons, while also acknowledging the increased possibility of birth defects. Critics, including Bradford’s NHS, have expressed concerns. Ayesha Ali-Khan, who lost her brothers to health problems, blames her parents’ marriage and hopes to prevent others from suffering. Anita Prem, from the Freedom Charity, sees these unions as a safety concern.
Research indicates that children of first-cousin marriages face higher risks of recessive disorders, along with an increased chance of issues related to speech, language, and developmental growth. The frequency of these unions declined in the 20th century, but they remain somewhat prevalent in certain communities, as observed in Bradford, where roughly half of Pakistani women are in these types of marriages.