As More Countries Ban First-Cousin Marriage, Why Does the UK Still Allow It?

[putnam6]

Didn't even know this was a thing in first-world countries ... King Chuck notwithstanding 

outside a few families deep in the hollows of the West Virginia Appalachians 

As More Countries Ban First-Cousin Marriage, Why Does the UK Still Allow It?
 

uncomfortable statistics. 'Pakistanis account for 3.4% of births nationwide but 30% of recessive gene disorders,' he stated, demanding action on what he termed a 'considerable disease burden' facing the NHS.

https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/more-countries...it-1745750
 

Britain finds itself increasingly isolated on the global stage as countries from Norway to China ban first-cousin marriages. Yet, the practice remains legal across the United Kingdom despite mounting evidence of serious health risks to children.
The debate exploded into public consciousness when NHS guidance appeared to emphasise 'social benefits' of cousin marriage, triggering fierce backlash from health campaigners who point to stark statistics: children born to first cousins face a 10% lower chance of meeting normal developmental milestones and significantly higher rates of genetic disorders.
Bradford Study Reveals Shocking Health StatisticsGround-breaking research from the Born in Bradford cohort study has laid bare the reality of cousin marriage in modern Britain. The comprehensive research, tracking families from 2016 to 2020, found that 43% of Pakistani heritage couples in Bradford were in consanguineous relationships, predominantly between first cousins.
While this marks a decline from approximately 60% in the late 2000s, the health implications remain sobering. Children from these unions face substantially higher risks of developmental delays, learning disabilities and chronic health conditions requiring frequent hospital visits. Research published in The Lancet confirms what geneticists have long warned: first-cousin marriages double the risk of birth defects from roughly 3% to 6%.
Global Ban on Cousin Marriage Gains MomentumThe international community has taken decisive action against the practice. Norway, South Korea and China have implemented complete bans on first-cousin marriage, whilst Sweden and Denmark prepare similar legislation for 2025. These countries cite overwhelming medical evidence and public health costs as primary drivers for prohibition.
The trend reflects growing consensus among health officials worldwide that preventing genetic disorders through marriage restrictions represents sound public health policy. Yet Britain remains notably absent from this global movement, opting for education over legislation despite documented risks.
House of Lords Debates Cultural Sensitivities vs Health RisksThe issue reached Westminster's upper chamber earlier this year when Conservative peer Lord Farmer challenged the government with uncomfortable statistics. 'Pakistanis account for 3.4% of births nationwide but 30% of recessive gene disorders,' he stated, demanding action on what he termed a 'considerable disease burden' facing the NHS.

[David64]

Well, the thing is, you can make marrying your first cousin illegal, but that just means they can't get married. They can still live together, have sex, kids etc....
It's like the war on drugs, it may be illegal but people still do it.

They may be hesitant because some of the European Royal Families are inbred to some extent.

[putnam6]

Well, the thing is, you can make marrying your first cousin illegal, but that just means they can't get married. They can still live together, have sex, kids etc....
It's like the war on drugs, it may be illegal but people still do it.

They may be hesitant because some of the European Royal Families are inbred to some extent.

The implication is it's being held over because the practice is rampant in the migrant community and the resultant offspring will be wards NHS system for life.

thus even a 10% reduction is better than nothing

[IdeomotorPrisoner]

Consanguineous marriage and inbreeding is selfish and paranoid.  Or something about reinforcing unity and kinship. 

The uncomfortable answer about why the UK won't ban it may be the Muslims.  That's not trying to denigrate them culturally, because it is culturally tolerated. 

And it was culturally tolerated elsewhere for most of history.  Like in the Italian communities of the USA from the 1800s up to the 1950s, when it fell out of favor...

It was common for Italians to marry their cousins in the 1910s and 1920s, but this practice was due to cultural and economic factors. In Southern Italy, including regions like Sicily and Calabria, first-cousin marriages were a deeply ingrained tradition for keeping family property and wealth within the same bloodline, and for reinforcing the crucial importance of strong familial and clan ties.

Same thing for MODERN Muslim places like Pakistan, Syria, and Palestine. they are still culturally locked in that time and mind. 

They do it for the same reason the paisans once did, and in some places, still do.

Maybe the UK acknowledges this for the millions of immigrants from cultures with no taboo for it?

[Maxmars]

I'm about to say something that part of me is resisting...

This is just a question

Could it be that some families wish to maintain integrity of their bloodlines...
and not have it be illegal?

Don't hate me.

[putnam6]

I'm about to say something that part of me is resisting...

This is just a question

Could it be that some families wish to maintain integrity of their bloodlines...
and not have it be illegal?

Don't hate me.

Hate you? These types of questions have become the norm, evidently. BUT

 Have you seen pictures of the few Appalachian families that maintained the integrity of thier bloodline
for a few generations... 

Granted the starting point wasnt likely the pinnacle of humanity's spawn....

https://nypost.com/2023/04/03/meet-the-w...ed-family/

Read your history on inbred royal bloodlines. The science is better established than say COVID vaccines and protocols

[UltraBudgie]

I'm about to say something that part of me is resisting...

This is just a question

Could it be that some families wish to maintain integrity of their bloodlines...
and not have it be illegal?

Don't hate me.

The more refined practice among the Anglo-American elite is to practice two forms of eugenics: "Outer family" intermarriage, where new blood will be cycled into a set of various controlled subordinate outer families, with approved interbreeding, at the second-cousin level or beyond to bring it back into the main family if successfully integrated, combined with "Braiding" between upper-families, often done for power-harmonization purposes.

Check the birth records; it's pretty obvious. I suppose first-cousin marriage could be practised, if desperate enough, but the science has moved well beyond that since the days when fresh from the German old-country.

[putnam6]

The more refined practice among the Anglo-American elite is to practice two forms of eugenics: "Outer family" intermarriage, where new blood will be cycled into a set of various controlled subordinate outer families, with approved interbreeding, at the second-cousin level or beyond to bring it back into the main family if successfully integrated, combined with "Braiding" between upper-families, often done for power-harmonization purposes.

Check the birth records; it's pretty obvious. I suppose first-cousin marriage could be practised, if desperate enough, but the science has moved well beyond that since the days when fresh from the German old-country.

Which seemingly isn't a factor in the UK, and not sure this is even documented in the Anglo-American high society community either, except early on. 

Otherwise, the recessive gene issue would be higher in the higher-populated Anglo community and not the lower-populated Pakistani community

One problem is that there are considerably more male migrants than female...

[ArMaP]

Didn't even know this was a thing in first-world countries ... King Chuck notwithstanding 

outside a few families deep in the hollows of the West Virginia Appalachians 

As More Countries Ban First-Cousin Marriage, Why Does the UK Still Allow It?

Why not?

Although first-cousin marriages may result in children with problems it's 100% guaranteed that it will happen, and with today's tests is easy to know if it's likely that some kind of genetic problem will appear on the children.

In general, I'm against any prohibition.

PS: Most countries in the world allow it.

[putnam6]

Why not?

Although first-cousin marriages may result in children with problems it's 100% guaranteed that it will happen, and with today's tests is easy to know if it's likely that some kind of genetic problem will appear on the children.

In general, I'm against any prohibition.

PS: Most countries in the world allow it.

LOL there's no "may" to it... the science and evidence is clear #1 

And #2, there's no way to guarantee every pregnant mum will receive prime prenatal care and know and learn of the progress of their child. In the migrant communities, most will not.