Genotype Must Be Considered in Christian Marriage Decisions – Adesina

Young Christians have been urged to make genotype compatibility an important consideration when choosing marriage partners, with a minister of the Nigerian Baptist Convention warning that love and faith should be accompanied by medical knowledge and responsible decision-making.

The call was made by Joshua Adebayo Adesina, Ministerial Officer, Social Ministries Department, Nigerian Baptist Convention, while speaking at the 52nd Annual Session of the Nigeria Baptist Convention Youth Conference (NBCYC).

Adesina, who spoke on “Your Genotype, Your Family: The Place of Genetic Compatibility in Christian Marital Choice,” said intending couples should not limit their considerations to love, spirituality, character, family background and financial stability while overlooking their genetic compatibility.

He particularly drew attention to sickle cell disease (SCD), describing it as a major health challenge that continues to place significant medical, emotional and financial burdens on Nigerian families.

Faith is not a substitute for medical knowledge

Adesina challenged the belief that trusting God means ignoring medical realities, insisting that faith and wisdom should work together in making important life decisions.

Referencing Proverbs 24:3 and Luke 14:28-30, he said the Bible encourages Christians to act with wisdom, planning and understanding.

He noted that Christian faith should not be interpreted as a justification for disregarding established medical facts or expecting a miraculous exemption from predictable genetic inheritance.

“Faith and wisdom are complementary,” he maintained, stressing that genuine Christian love should take into account not only present happiness but also the long-term wellbeing of spouses, children and the wider family.

According to him, understanding one’s genotype is also part of responsible Christian discipleship because it equips individuals to make informed decisions about marriage and parenthood.

‘Know your genotype before marriage’

Explaining the science behind genotype compatibility, Adesina said genotype refers to the genetic combination inherited from one’s parents.

He identified common haemoglobin genotypes as AA, AS and SS, alongside other combinations including AC, SC, CC, SD and Sβ-thalassaemia.

He explained that people with AS carry the sickle cell trait and can pass the relevant gene to their children, while people with SS have sickle cell disease.

Using the AS-AS combination as an example, he said each pregnancy carries a 25 per cent chance of producing a child with AA, a 50 per cent chance of AS and a 25 per cent chance of SS.

He stressed that the percentages apply independently to each pregnancy and are not a fixed family quota.

“Knowing your genotype before marriage is therefore an important part of informed decision-making,” he said.

Sickle cell burden goes beyond the hospital

Adesina said the impact of sickle cell disease extends far beyond medical treatment, affecting education, family finances, emotional wellbeing, employment and social participation.

Children living with the condition may experience painful crises, severe anaemia, infections, delayed growth and other serious complications requiring regular medical attention.

For families, he said, the demands of caregiving can result in emotional exhaustion, anxiety and financial pressure.

Expenses related to medication, hospital admissions, specialist consultations, blood transfusions, transportation and other forms of care can place a heavy burden on households, especially where families bear substantial out-of-pocket healthcare costs.

He added that prolonged caregiving responsibilities could also create pressures within marriages, particularly around treatment decisions, finances, family planning and sharing of caregiving duties.

‘Genotype testing is not discrimination’

The NBC Ministerial Officer cautioned against interpreting genotype testing as discrimination or placing medical considerations above love.

Instead, he described it as a means of ensuring that intending couples understand the possible genetic implications of their choices.

He said responsible parenthood begins with informed decisions and urged young Christians to see genetic knowledge as an expression of mature love rather than a barrier to marriage.

“When genotype incompatibility is ignored, the consequences can be physical, psychological, financial, educational, social and marital,” he warned.

Nigeria needs stronger genetic awareness

Adesina cited countries such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Cyprus, Iran and the United Arab Emirates as examples of countries that have introduced different forms of premarital screening, genetic counselling and public education to address inherited blood disorders.

He called for stronger and more coordinated efforts in Nigeria, including the integration of genotype education into secondary and tertiary school curricula.

He also advocated affordable or free genotype testing, particularly for people in rural and underserved communities, as well as stronger collaboration among churches, schools, healthcare institutions, government agencies and civil society organisations.

Other recommendations included expanding genetic counselling centres and strengthening newborn screening programmes.

Adesina stressed that the responsibility for creating greater awareness should not rest solely with government and healthcare professionals.

Parents, young people, religious leaders, schools and community leaders, he said, must all contribute to building a culture of informed marital decision-making.

‘Love should be guided by knowledge’

Concluding his presentation, Adesina said love, character, faith and stability remain important considerations in choosing a life partner, but genotype awareness should also form part of responsible marriage preparation.

For Christians, he said, seeking medical knowledge and making informed choices should be regarded as responsible stewardship rather than a lack of faith.

His central message to young Christians was clear: love should be guided by knowledge.

He said when intending couples understand their genotype and the possible implications for their future children, they are better positioned to make responsible decisions, protect their families and contribute to a healthier society.