‘Dangers’ of first-cousin marriages

The Government is to seek advice on whether genetic screening and counselling should be given in areas where first-cousin marriages take place.

Labour MP Ann Cryer has called for ministers to ensure that health bodies in areas where the practice is the norm offer provisions amid fears genetic problems caused by children born out of the marriages are continuing to go ignored.

Health Minister Mike O’Brien said he would investigate what could be done.

He said: “Before giving a firm assurance on that, we need to take some advice on the clinical implications from those whom we would call upon to carry out such tests.”

Mrs Cryer, the MP for Keighley in West Yorkshire, has been an outspoken critic of first-cousin marriages for many years.

She said: “I know of several sets of parents who are in first-cousin marriages and whose children are severely disabled. I have no doubt that the mothers and fathers being so closely related to each other is a key factor.

“There are many children born to first-cousin parents who don’t have any problems at all. However, two closely-related people are more likely to carry copies of the same mutated gene.

“Parents who are unrelated have about a 2% risk of having a child with a severe genetically transmitted condition. However, in first-cousin marriages this rises to 4%”.

She said she had come across the problem for more than 30 years within the Mirapuri community.

She added it was “heartbreaking” when grandparents are so keen cousins should marry that the problem continues throughout generations.

Mrs Cryer said while people cannot be stopped from marrying their relatives, they need to be aware of the dangers to the children.