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Available for over a year

Anne McElvoy presents Across the Red Line, the show that tackles divisive issues with thoughtful debate. This episode explores cousin marriage - legally permitted in the UK and practiced in some South Asian communities, where it’s seen as a bond of trust and kinship. Historically common among British elites, cousin marriage has come under scrutiny due to medical risks, including increased chances of recessive genetic disorders. The debate has intensified: Norway has banned the practice, Sweden is set to follow, and UK MP Richard Holden has proposed legislation to outlaw it. A recent YouGov poll shows 77% of the public supports a ban, but enforcing it in communities where it’s culturally embedded remains complex. Joining Anne are journalist Matthew Syed, a vocal critic of cousin marriage, and Dr Maleeha Mansur, an Obstetrics & Gynaecology Registrar who defends the practice and recently challenged Syed’s views in The Times. Producer: Lisa Jenkinson