A British, Starmer-funded NHS body has advised hospital staff not to discourage first cousin marriages in a blanket way, stating the genetic risks to children are only “slightly increased," reports the Telegraph.
The guidance comes from the National Child Mortality Database, based at the University of Bristol, which has received more than £3.5 million in public funding to collect and analyze data on child deaths. The document, first issued in 2023 and reviewed by The Times, states that it is “unacceptable to discourage close relative marriage in a blanket way.”
Instead, the board recommends that genetic counsellors meet with couples and their extended families to discuss options, including how to “consider arranging future marriages outside of the family.” It adds: “Action at community level may help people to understand and act on [our] advice; but this is only acceptable if information is balanced, non-stigmatising and non-directive.”
The issue has drawn heated political attention, as first cousin marriage remains legal in the UK and is practiced in some communities, including within the British-Pakistani population.
In 2024, then-backbench MP Richard Holden introduced proposals to ban the practices. At the time, Downing Street said there were no plans to change the law.
Mr Holden told The Times: “Our NHS should stop taking the knee to damaging and oppressive cultural practices. This guidance turns basic public health into public harm.
“First cousin marriage carries far higher genetic risk, as well as damaging individual liberty and societal cohesion. Pretending otherwise helps no one, least of all the children born with avoidable conditions and those trapped in heavy-handed patriarchal power structures they can’t leave for fear of total ostracism.”
Separately, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust recently advertised for a “close relative marriage neonatal nurse/midwife.” The role would “provide comprehensive care and support to families who have recently had a baby and are close relatives.”
The guidance comes from the National Child Mortality Database, based at the University of Bristol, which has received more than £3.5 million in public funding to collect and analyze data on child deaths. The document, first issued in 2023 and reviewed by The Times, states that it is “unacceptable to discourage close relative marriage in a blanket way.”
Instead, the board recommends that genetic counsellors meet with couples and their extended families to discuss options, including how to “consider arranging future marriages outside of the family.” It adds: “Action at community level may help people to understand and act on [our] advice; but this is only acceptable if information is balanced, non-stigmatising and non-directive.”
The issue has drawn heated political attention, as first cousin marriage remains legal in the UK and is practiced in some communities, including within the British-Pakistani population.
In 2024, then-backbench MP Richard Holden introduced proposals to ban the practices. At the time, Downing Street said there were no plans to change the law.
Mr Holden told The Times: “Our NHS should stop taking the knee to damaging and oppressive cultural practices. This guidance turns basic public health into public harm.
“First cousin marriage carries far higher genetic risk, as well as damaging individual liberty and societal cohesion. Pretending otherwise helps no one, least of all the children born with avoidable conditions and those trapped in heavy-handed patriarchal power structures they can’t leave for fear of total ostracism.”
Separately, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust recently advertised for a “close relative marriage neonatal nurse/midwife.” The role would “provide comprehensive care and support to families who have recently had a baby and are close relatives.”
