The Hidden Danger in Close Village Marriages

The Hidden Danger in Close Village Marriages

Marriages Within the Same Village Increase Genetic Disorder Risks

Prof. Dr. Serdar Ceylaner, Chair of the European Union of Medical Specialists’ Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases Commission, has warned that marriages within the same or nearby villages significantly increase the risk of genetic disorders due to the shared genetic pool in such populations. “Many people assume they are not at risk because they are not marrying close relatives. However, the genetic similarity within the same or nearby villages can sometimes be unexpectedly high,” he said.

Beware of Marriages Within the Same Village

In small towns or villages where communities live together for generations, individuals often share the same gene pool. Prof. Ceylaner explained, “Marriages within the same village increase the risk of autosomal recessive disorders, a group of genetic diseases. These occur when both parents pass on a mutation in the same gene.” He added, “We carry all our genes in pairs, receiving one from each parent. If mutations are present in both copies of a gene, the disease can manifest. This risk, typically rare, increases significantly in marriages involving individuals from the same or nearby villages.”

Genetic Danger Reflected in Official Data

Analyzing consanguineous marriage rates in Turkey reveals higher-than-expected numbers of autosomal recessive diseases. Prof. Ceylaner emphasized, “When families have a child with a genetic disorder, the question ‘Are you related to your spouse?’ must be detailed further to include queries like ‘Are you distantly related?’ ‘Are you from the same village?’ or ‘Are you from nearby villages?’ An affirmative answer indicates the likelihood of an autosomal recessive disease.”

Seek Genetic Counseling Before Marriage

Prof. Ceylaner stressed that couples who marry within the same or nearby villages can have healthy children, but their risk of genetic diseases is much higher. He advised such families to consult a genetic center before planning for children. “In almost one out of three consanguineous marriages, both partners carry a significant genetic disorder. Genetic counseling can identify these risks, and assisted reproductive technologies like preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) can help prevent passing the disorder to their children,” he concluded.

Source: DreamsWisdom.com