A government-funded UK monitoring body has advised National Health Service (NHS) staff not to discourage first cousin marriages “in a blanket way,” according to reports published on February 10. The guidance, issued by the National Child Mortality Database (NCMD), states that while first-cousin couples face a slightly increased genetic risk, counseling should remain balanced and non-directive.
The NCMD document, first issued in 2023, recommends that genetic counselors provide families with information about potential risks and encourage informed decision-making, rather than stigmatizing the practice. First cousin marriage remains legal in the UK.
The guidance has drawn political criticism, with some lawmakers renewing calls to ban the practice on public health grounds. However, Downing Street has previously said there are no plans to change the law.
The practice remains a complex issue shaped by cultural, religious, and legal factors. Browse the gallery to explore which countries have the highest rates of cousin marriage.