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The Uzbek authorities have considerably enhanced rules regarding marriages between family members. This policy was implemented due to the fact that regular blood-related unions have resulted in serious genetic disorder problems.

As reported by the Times of Central Asia, TCA, and other sources on the 1st, the Uzbekistan Ministry of Justice has drafted a bill that bans marriages between distant relatives, such as uncles and nieces, aunts and nephews, and individuals of the same generation who are eighth-degree relatives.

In Uzbekistan’s current family law, only unions between direct ancestors or siblings (including those with one common parent), and between adoptive parents and their children are prohibited. The proposed legislation broadens the regulations regarding marriages between close relatives.

Under the new law, breaches could lead to penalties or a maximum of two years of compulsory labor training.

These actions came after the recent release of a report from Uzbekistan’s state-run Advanced Technology Research Institute (CAT). The report noted, “Dozens of new genetic mutations have appeared among Uzbeks as a result of consanguineous marriages.”

CAT researchers found that half of the children tested had mutated genes, with about 86% displaying at least one genetic irregularity—twice the global average.

CAT researchers linked the problem to marriages between relatives, stating, “In certain areas of Uzbekistan, approximately one in four marriages are consanguineous, increasing the chances of genetic mutations.” They also cautioned, “These genetic changes not only raise the likelihood of inherited illnesses but also diabetes, heart conditions, and cancer.”