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Tennessee passes bill outlawing first-cousin marriage after heated debate


A bill prohibiting first-cousin marriage in Tennessee has passed in the state’s House of Representatives, although not without controversy. Rep. Gino Bulso attempted to amend the bill to allow cousins to marry if they received genetic counseling first, arguing that same-sex marriage was legalized nationwide and should be considered in this context. Bulso stated that the bill was introduced as a public health measure to prevent birth defects in children conceived by relatives. He highlighted that the risk for birth defects in such cases was low, between 1.7% and 2.8%, according to the Journal of Genetic Counseling.

Despite Bulso’s arguments, the amendment was ultimately tabled and the bill banning first-cousin marriage passed in the House. Only two Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, with the rest supporting the ban. The bill now awaits Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s signature to become law. Rep. Darren Jernigan, who initially filed the bill, expressed hope that a loophole allowing marriage between first cousins would be closed in 2024. The bill’s passage reflects a shift in Tennessee’s laws regarding cousin marriage, which has been legal due to a 1960 decision by the state’s attorney general.

The controversial legislation has raised questions about the intersection of personal choice and public health concerns, as well as the evolving landscape of marriage laws in Tennessee. Critics argue that the bill infringes on individual rights, while supporters maintain that preventing potential birth defects is a valid public health objective.

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