Cousin Marriages: Pakistan’s Genetic Time Bomb

Abstract

Cousin marriages or consanguineous marriages in Pakistan are a health pandemic we can no longer overlook. Marrying within the family, especially between first cousins, is a tradition passed down through generations. However, over the last two decades, increasing research indicates that this decision incurs significant costs, e.g., increased prevalence of genetic abnormalities, newborn mortality rates, and cognitive implications in subsequent generations, imposing burdens on both families and the national public health structure.