The NHS has done something shocking. Last week, NHS England put out guidance openly promoting first-cousin marriage, saying it had “social and economic benefits” while brushing aside serious health risks. This came from the Genomics Education Programme, a government-backed initiative meant to teach people about genetics. The guidance was pulled after a few days, but the damage was already done. The message was loud and clear: cultural sensitivity now trumps medical reality, and the children born into this will pay the price.
“The NHS has been urged to apologise for publishing guidance extolling the benefits of first-cousin marriage despite the increased risk of birth defects… Guidance published last week by the NHS England’s Genomics Education Programme says first-cousin marriage is linked to ‘stronger extended family support systems and economic advantages.’” https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/nhs-supports-first-cousin-marriages-143023199.html
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/09/28/nhs-supports-first-cousin-marriages-birth-defect-risk/
The risks are not minor. The Born in Bradford study found that 43 percent of Pakistani heritage couples in that area were first cousins. Their children had an 11 percent rate of speech and language problems compared to 7 percent for kids of unrelated parents, and only 54 percent reached a “good stage of development” compared to 64 percent of others. These are real consequences: struggling kids, families under strain, healthcare costs rising.
“Children from cousin marriages face substantially higher risks of developmental delays, learning disabilities and chronic health conditions requiring frequent hospital visits.” https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/as-more-countries-ban-first-cousin-marriage-why-does-the-uk-still-allow-it/ar-AA1NxxVM
The NHS called this risk “small,” saying it went from 2-3 percent in the general population to 4-6 percent in cousin marriages. That doubling is huge when it affects thousands of children and families. Every statistic represents suffering that could have been prevented.
“Cousin marriage is incest, plain and simple, and needs to be banned with the utmost urgency… This official article is deeply misleading and should be retracted with an apology so that the public is not misled by omission and half-truths.” https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/nhs-supports-first-cousin-marriages-143023199.html
The backlash was immediate. MPs said the NHS was normalizing a dangerous practice. Most countries now ban cousin marriage entirely. Norway, South Korea, and China forbid it. Sweden and Denmark are moving toward bans. Britain alone sticks to a policy rooted in history and political caution.
