Should interfamily marriages be banned in England?

Question

According to Government-sponsored research, British Pakistanis (half of whom marry a first cousin) are 13 times more likely to produce children with genetic disorders than the general population.

Of course it happens in other cultures too.

What, if anything, should be done about this?

Answer 1

agree with mcclegg

Answer 2

Of course it should , but not just in the Asian community in the UK. it should be banned everywhere.

Answer 3

I really don't think we should be interfering.  It's not illegal.  All we can do is educate people to the risks and warn them of the possibilities of defects and leave the choice up to them.

Answer 4

I don't think so because it would be racist. But it would be fair to advertise this information on TV so english people know the risk they take and pakistanis stop doing that.

Answer 5

So your reason for banning a marriage to a cousin is birth defects in British Pakistani families. As many of these marriages are arranged how long do you think it would be before the government were accused of discriminating against religions that traditionally follow arranged marriages and therefore islamic custom?

Regardless of your best intentions present the medical evidence to British Pakistanis and let them make their own choice from an informed position.

Interfamily marriage isn't uncommon in fact until relatively recently i.e. modern forms of transport availiability, most small village marriages were interfamily and even in small towns many weddings had bride and groom related by blood only one or two generations removed. The problem you're describing is I suspect centred upon a small percentage of families who adhere to more tradional values than most.

Answer 6

Yes, it should be made illegal.  It's not fair on the children.

Answer 7

I take it back (re: a full bladder is the UK second worst alarm clock).  Let's focus all attention upon interfamily question and how it can better alert citizens.  

We can wait that long, I'm sure.

Answer 8

yes they should be banned

the ones who marry cousins - are they cousins back in pakistan so that they can enter the UK?

if not why are so many marriages with people back in pakistan?

a muslim doctor was reported to have said that muslims are more likely to report disabilities than other sections of society - perhaps it is because of this inbreeding

you say it happens in other cultures too - but probably not with so many people being involved in it.....

Answer 9

Yes.

Answer 10

Yeah lets ban our royal family on the basis that they are all inbreds.

Answer 11

Should be banned.