"Especially with the country in great need of donation, science should speak louder than stigma in determining who can help."

flex — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 07:10:29 -0800

Tainted: Why Gay Men Still Can't Donate Blood - "Since 1983, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines have disqualified men who have ever had sex with men (MSM) from donating blood... Uneven application of exclusion to at-risk individuals suggests that risk aversion disproportionately impacts MSMs. For example, a non-MSM individual who has had sexual contact with a commercial sex worker or HIV-positive partner is deferred for only twelve months... The fact that the U.S. upholds a lifetime ban on MSM donation while Australian policy allows MSM individuals to donate a year or less after contact reveals a glaring discrepancy. Both ethics and science point to a flaw in FDA policy. That I could have had sex with 365 partners this year and be a perfectly fine candidate for donating blood, while the MSM next to me wouldn't qualify, betrays a faulty line of logic." *Macleans - Who's afraid of a gay man's blood? We are:

"Starting in November [2011], the United Kingdom will join South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and other countries that have lifted the lifetime ban on blood donations from men who have sex with other men (MSM) and instead impose a 12-month deferral period after oral or anal sexual contact with a same-sex partner has occurred. This rule will apply whether or not a condom was used. The policy change is based on the findings of the independent Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues, and Organs, which reviewed the evidence on donor selection criteria, taking into account improvements in blood testing, monitoring from countries with shortened deferral periods, and donors’ compliance with the ban. They concluded that the science “no longer support[s] the permanent exclusion of men who have had sex with men.” ...In Sweden, Japan, and Australia, the wait is one year. In New Zealand, it’s five. In South Africa, six months from a man’s last same-sex encounter is enough. In Italy, the restriction lasts for four months after sex with a new partner. Canada—along with the US, France and many other countries—continue to refuse MSM donors all together. Why this variation?"

*Wikipedia - Gay male blood donor controversy *Red Cross Favors Amending Blood Donation Policy by Gay and Bisexual Men: "The FDA maintains that gay and bisexual men should not be allowed to donate blood, but the Red Cross believes there should only be a 12 month deferral" *CNN - As blood donations decline, U.S. ban on gay donors is examined:

While he is a gay man, Adam Denney thinks he would be the perfect candidate to donate blood. He doesn't use IV drugs. He practices safer sex. He even educates people on how to prevent new HIV infections as a regular volunteer educator with AIDS Volunteers Inc. in Lexington, Kentucky. He thinks his exclusion is unfair. "Yes, gay men are still a high-risk community, but so are minority women, and there are no standards prohibiting them from donating. There would be rightful outrage against that kind of blanket population ban," Denney said. "I am banned based on one reason only, my sexual orientation. It's totally discriminatory."

*Buzzfeed - Hurricane Puts A Blood Ban Back In The Spotlight: "Hurricane Sandy means an urgent need for blood donations. But gay men still can't donate." (previously: the ban on blood donation)

Amnesty International, International Committee of the Red Cross Reports on Iraq

fold_and_mutilate — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:59:44 -0800

Two new reports on our progress in Iraq were released today:
"Five years after the war started, the humanitarian situation in Iraq is among the most critical in the world..." - International Committee of the Red Cross.
"Five years of carnage and despair in Iraq" - Amnesty International. (Links to the complete reports are contained in the referenced pages).

How Safe is the Blood Supply?

ahughey — Fri, 19 Jul 2002 13:07:02 -0800

How Safe is the Blood Supply? A tainted donor infects two with HIV in Florida. The people in charge of the blood claim it's safe. But recent books and documentaries raise serious questions.

Donate blood

theNonsuch — Tue, 11 Sep 2001 12:47:30 -0800

Donate blood Fellow Canadians, if you want to donate blood, call 1-888-236-6283 to set up an appointment. A friend at Canadian Blood Services said that the level in NY is very low - it's the least we can do.

MetaFilter posts tagged with redcross and Health

"Especially with the country in great need of donation, science should speak louder than stigma in determining who can help."

Amnesty International, International Committee of the Red Cross Reports on Iraq

How Safe is the Blood Supply?

Donate blood