The NHS has faced criticism from a Conservative MP after being accused of promoting the benefits of first-cousin marriages, despite well-documented concerns about the increased risk of birth defects.
Guidance published last week by NHS England’s Genomics Education Programme suggests the “benefits” of first cousin marriage include “stronger extended family support systems and economic advantages”.
However, there are known risks associated with marrying a first cousin, including an increased likelihood of a child inheriting a recessive genetic disorder such as cystic fibrosis or thalassaemia.
See also: What are the benefits & negatives of cousin marriage
Responding to the guidance, Tory MP Richard Holden told the Mail On Sunday: “Our NHS should stop taking the knee to damaging and oppressive cultural practices.
“The Conservatives want to see an end to cousin marriage as a backdoor to immigration too, but Labour are deaf to these sensible demands.
“Sir Keir Starmer should stop running scared of the misogynistic community controllers and their quislings who appear in the form of cultural relativist-obsessed sociology professors, and ban a practice the overwhelming majority, from every community in Britain, want to see ended for good.”
NHS England has said the guidance should not have been published and it has since been taken down from the website.
A spokesperson said the NHS recognises the scientific evidence surrounding the increased risk of birth defects, but seeks to inform parents in a “respectful way”.
The NHS guidance cites the Born in Bradford medical study, which suggests that more children are being born with certain genetic conditions in Bradford — an area with a large British Pakistani population, in which first-cousin marriage is “fairly common”.
According to the study, a child of first cousins in Bradford had an 11% probability of being diagnosed with a speech and language problem, compared to 7% for children whose parents are not related.
It also found that a child of first cousins has a 54% chance of reaching a “good stage of development”, compared to 64% of children whose parents are not related.
However, the NHS guidance goes on to suggest that blaming first-cousin marriage for genetic conditions is an “oversimplification” and that although children of first cousins have an increased chance of being born with a genetic condition, the increase is a small one, according to Professor Sam Oddie.
It notes that a child’s chance of being born with a genetic condition is around 2–3%, which rises to 4–6% if they are the children of first cousins.
The guidance calls for a balance between cultural sensitivity and scientific understanding, emphasising the need to focus on ‘genetic literacy’ — including education and voluntary screening — rather than advocating for an outright ban on the practice.
An NHS England spokesperson said: “This article should not have been published, and we have removed it.
“The NHS recognises the scientific evidence that there can be increased risk of children having certain conditions when parents are consanguineous, and the health service seeks to advise and inform patients of these risks in a respectful way.”
