An Indian-origin peer has raised concerns over the health consequences of first-cousin marriages common among Pakistani communities in the UK, saying couples getting married should be forced to have a DNA test first to ensure they are not too closely related.
Speaking in the House of Lords, Baroness Shreela Flather said that there are a lot of first-cousin marriages in certain communities, particularly among Pakistanis.
She said it is "absolutely appalling" that first cousin marriages in Pakistani communities are leading to "so much disability among children."
"We know so much about DNA now, but there is so much disability among the children, which is absolutely appalling.
"You go to any such family and there will be four or five children, at least one or two of whom will have some disability. That is absolutely unacceptable, and if we cannot do anything about it, is it fair to the children?"
"Never mind the parents -- it is not fair to the children that they should be allowed to become disabled because of a social practice. It is a social practice which does not belong in today's age, when we know so much about DNA," she said.
Lady Flather said there should at least be some rule "which says that you must have a DNA examination before your marriage can be registered."
She also mentioned churches allowing first-cousin marriages and the resultant problems that can arise and wanted it to be put on record that it was illegal in the UK.
Communities minister Baroness Williams said: "I can confirm that first-cousin marriages are against the law in this country and that the church does not condone them - not any church that I know of, anyway.
