MP opposes calls to ban first-cousin marriage in the UK

2 comments

1. >“The reason the practice is so common is that ordinary people see family inter-marriage overall as something that is very positive, something that helps build family bonds and helps put families on a more secure financial foothold…

   >“Instead of stigmatising those in cousin marriages or those inclined to be, a much more positive approach would be to facilitate advanced genetic test screening for prospective married couples, as is the case in all Arab countries in the Persian Gulf, and more generally to run health education programmes targeting those communities where the practice is most common.

   Yeah I’m sorry, some things deserve to be stigmatised. If you want to marry your cousin, simply don’t do it in the West.

   That said, the idea this was established law until 1540 for King Henry VIII and now Pakistanis and Irish Travellers marry their cousins in England is extremely funny

2. Meh. I always feel like this is one of those things that has wayyyyy more negative attention than is warranted.

   And people always bring up “genetics,” as if they’re experts. It’s exhausting.

   The reality is that cousins having kids isn’t an issue unless done repeatedly, over multiple generations, between people with recessive traits you want to avoid.

Comments are closed.