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Britain’s socialized National Health Service (NHS) has come under fire for guidance that highlights supposed benefits of first-cousin marriage—highly prevalent among Africans, Pakistanis, and other ethnic minority groups in Britain—despite the well-documented risks of birth defects. The guidance from NHS England’s Genomics Education Programme claims such marriages offer “stronger extended family support systems and economic advantages.”
Critics, including Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) Richard Holden, have condemned the NHS for endorsing what they see as a harmful practice. Holden remarked, “Our NHS should stop taking the knee to damaging and oppressive cultural practices.” He further criticized Britain’s governing Labour Party for ignoring calls to end cousin marriage as a means of deterring chain migration—although the Conservatives did not end it during their 14 years in office from 2010 to mid-2024, either.
Dr. Patrick Nash, a religious law expert, described the NHS guidance as “truly dismaying,” arguing that cousin marriage is akin to incest and should be banned. He called for the guidance to be retracted and for an apology to be issued to prevent public misinformation.
The NHS acknowledged the increased risk of genetic conditions in the children of first-cousin spouses, but downplayed it by comparing it to the risks associated with drinking alcohol or smoking while pregnant or having children at a later age, none of which are prohibited.
Cousin marriage is also linked to lower IQ and an elevated risk of psychosis.
Critics, including Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) Richard Holden, have condemned the NHS for endorsing what they see as a harmful practice. Holden remarked, “Our NHS should stop taking the knee to damaging and oppressive cultural practices.” He further criticized Britain’s governing Labour Party for ignoring calls to end cousin marriage as a means of deterring chain migration—although the Conservatives did not end it during their 14 years in office from 2010 to mid-2024, either.
Dr. Patrick Nash, a religious law expert, described the NHS guidance as “truly dismaying,” arguing that cousin marriage is akin to incest and should be banned. He called for the guidance to be retracted and for an apology to be issued to prevent public misinformation.
The NHS acknowledged the increased risk of genetic conditions in the children of first-cousin spouses, but downplayed it by comparing it to the risks associated with drinking alcohol or smoking while pregnant or having children at a later age, none of which are prohibited.
Cousin marriage is also linked to lower IQ and an elevated risk of psychosis.
