Amid Genetic Mutation Concerns... Uzbekistan Moves to Ban "Distant Relative Marriages"

Bill Prohibits Marriages Within Eight Degrees of Kinship
In Some Regions, 25% of Married Couples Are Relatives
Genetic Mutations Found at Twice the International Average

The government of Uzbekistan in Central Asia is moving to introduce stricter legislation banning marriages between relatives, aiming to minimize the risk of genetic mutations resulting from consanguineous marriages.

According to the Kyrgyzstani media outlet Times of Central Asia (TCA), Uzbekistan's Ministry of Justice has drafted a bill that would prohibit marriages between more distant relatives, such as uncles and nieces, aunts and nephews, and men and women within eight degrees of kinship. The bill stipulates penalties for violations, including fines or up to two years of correctional labor. However, if a prospective spouse is only formally considered a relative-such as in cases of adoption with no biological relationship-marriage will be permitted. Before proceeding with the legislative process, the government has released the bill on its own platform to gather public feedback.

Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. Pixabay

Under the current Uzbek family law, marriage is only prohibited between close relatives, such as those in direct lineal relationships or between step-siblings who intend to marry.

This legislative initiative follows the release of recent research findings that have revealed the genetic risks associated with consanguineous marriages.

According to the Uzbek online news outlet Zamin.uz, researchers at the state-run Center for Advanced Technologies (CAT) recently announced in a report that they had identified dozens of new genetic mutations among Uzbek citizens. The research team found that only the second child in families carried genetic mutations, and about 86% of children possessed at least one damaged gene, which is twice the international average.

The researchers cited the high prevalence of consanguineous marriages in Uzbekistan as the cause of this phenomenon. In fact, in some regions of Uzbekistan, it is known that about 25% of married couples are related by blood.

Experts warn that genetic mutations not only increase the likelihood of genetic disorders but can also raise the risk of diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. The CAT research team recommended, "Public health authorities should introduce a system requiring genetic testing for couples planning to marry."