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There is an expression which is commonly used in parts of Asia and the Arab world, suggesting that marrying a first cousin is a match made in heaven. Mazar - not his real name - is a British Pakistani, and married to his first cousin. Two of Mazar's five children are severely ill with matching health problems, which also run in his extended family, who live in northern England. He says the majority of his relatives followed the same marriage tradition.

"When she was born she had liver disease. When she had her first liver transplant, that got rejected. Then she had a second liver transplant while she was still there. And then my son was born and he had exactly the same problem."

General practitioner Dr. Rizwan Alidina from Birmingham says the practice has been common for centuries, as a means to preserve family wealth. He does not believe, however, in passing legislation - banning traditions observed by a specific group of people. He's an advocate for the power of education.

"If you go down the legislation route, you get non-engagement, but if you actually start looking at educating and being able to give informed consent choices… because, remember, that these people getting married are adults."

Even though the infant mortality rate within the Pakistani community is high, the risk of developing other severe illness is even higher, indicating that a healthier future should perhaps come from within.