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WhiteTara

(29,722 posts) Mon Dec 21, 2015, 04:07 PM Dec 2015

FDA overturns 30-year ban on blood donations by gay men

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-fda-hiv-idUSKBN0U423Y20151221

The United States government on Monday overturned its 30-year ban on blood donations by gay men, saying they can now donate 12 months after their last sexual contact with another man.

The Food and Drug Administration said its decision to reverse the policy was based on an examination of the latest science which shows that an indefinite ban is not necessary to prevent transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

"Ultimately, the 12-month deferral window is supported by the best available scientific evidence, at this point in time, relevant to the U.S. population," Dr. Peter Marks, deputy director of the FDA's biologics division, said in a statement.

The move brings the United States in line with countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand which also have 12-month deferrment periods.

Gay rights advocates said the updated policy reamins discriminatory.

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FDA overturns 30-year ban on blood donations by gay men (Original Post) WhiteTara Dec 2015 OP

I'm pretty straight... catnhatnh Dec 2015 #1

catnhatnh

(8,976 posts)

1. I'm pretty straight...

Reply to WhiteTara (Original post)

Mon Dec 21, 2015, 09:43 PM

Dec 2015

Because I worked on an ambulance as an EMT in Connecticut stopped giving blood over this. We handled AIDs patients before anyone had a handle on just what it was.Back then it was spooky and though I felt bad we handled those patients with rubber gloves and a respirator mask. There may be worse things but denying a dying patient direct contact or even a clear view of your face always hurt me. The Red Cross added a screening question "Have you had contact with a person with AIDs in the last (year I think-it might have been 6 months) and a yes answer meant "additional screening". If the screening was for real I might not have resented the extra 45 minutes it took but it truly was a farce that always ended with a scripted question-Did you take extra protective precautions. The day I quit the nonsense I told a sour nurse-"Yes-I didn't kiss them on the lips." and I walked out...

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