US Politicians Urge End to Life-Long Blood Ban

March 09, 2010

US Senators are pushing for America to end its life-long ban on gay men donating, saying the policy is outdated and discriminatory.

Seventeen Democrat senators – lead by former presidential nominee John Kerry - and one independent have penned a letter to the Food and Drug Administration Agency calling for the ban to be lifted.

“Not a single piece of scientific evidence supports the ban,” said Kerry in a statement. “A law that was once considered medically justified is today simply outdated and needs to end, just as last year we ended the travel ban against those with HIV.”

The FDA’s blood ban was introduced in the early 1980s when little was known about the AIDS and the virus that causes it. FDA policy regarding sexual activity remains inconsistent. A man who has had sex with a man once since 1977 is prohibited from donating blood, while a heterosexual who has had sex with a known HIV carrier must wait a year before donating.
 

The letter, according to the AFP, states: “We write today to express our concerns regarding outdated, medically and scientifically unsound deferral criteria for prospective blood donors.

“With hospitals and emergency rooms across the country in constant and urgent need of blood products, we believe certain blood donor deferral policies should be reviewed and appropriately modified and modernized while ensuring the blood supply meets the highest possible standards.”

In response to the letter, the FDA said: “The agency understands and respects the desire of everyone, including MSM [men who have sex with men] to donate blood and save lives.

“While FDA appreciates concerns about perceived discrimination, our decision to maintain the deferral policy is based on current science and data, and does not give weight to a donor’s sexual orientation.”

The last time the FDA reviewed its policy, it upheld the ban on the grounds that “60 times higher than the general population, 800 times higher than first-time blood donors, and 8,000 times higher than repeat blood donors.”

A life-long ban is in effect in the UK, with a review of the policy expected to conclude by year-end.
 

Image Source: John Kerry Press Office