Tory MP’s bill to ban marriage between cousins is ‘damaging’ and ‘unenforceable’

While marriage between cousins can risk ‘severe’ health defects in offspring, experts say education and genetic screening are more effective ways of tackling the declining trend. Photograph: Khoa Vu/Getty Images

While marriage between cousins can lead to “severe” health effects in offspring, a ban would be “damaging”, experts have warned in advance of a parliamentary debate on outlawing it.

A private member’s bill was introduced in December proposing banning cousin marriage by Basildon and Billericay MP Richard Holden, who said the practice poses “risks to health, freedom … the cohesion of our society”. The bill is due to get its second reading on Friday.