A major health authority has pulled its recent report citing the “benefits” of first-cousin marriage after it sparked widespread outrage.

The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) came under fire after publishing guidance that experts claim “promoted” inter-family unions, despite well-documented concerns about the increased risk of birth defects.

Research cited in the article, titled “Should the UK government ban first-cousin marriage?”, described “various potential benefits” of marrying a first cousin, “including stronger extended family support systems and economic advantages,” the Telegraph reported. 6

But many were quick to point out the report, published by the NHS England’s Genomics Education Programme last week, failed to properly assess the risks associated with having c

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