Md. lawmaker: Ban first-cousin marriages as unsafe

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — A Maryland state legislator says it's time to ban marriages between first cousins and stop playing what he calls ``genetic roulette' with their offspring.

Henry Heller, a Democratic delegate, or state representative, says he wants to bring Maryland ``into the enlightened world of other states such as West Virginia and Arkansas' that already prohibit unions of first cousins.

Heller is a retired special education administrator. He says couples who are first cousins are at an increased risk of having a child with birth defects.

The bill would make an exception for people who are over age 65 or infertile. Heller says he has ``no problem' with those couples if they want the companionship.

There are 24 states that prohibit marriage between first-cousins.

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