Panel: Too many risks to lift ban on blood donations by gay men

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Panel: Too many risks to lift ban on blood donations by gay men

Home | Policy | Healthcare
By Sarah Ferris - 12/04/14 09:35 AM EST

Members of an advisory panel on blood safety are arguing it would be risky to lift a 1980s-era ban on blood donations by gay men. ... The experts who advise the Food and Drug Administration are pushing back, as the agency reviews whether to lift the ban.

“There’s too many questions in science that aren’t answerable,” said Corey Dubin, a member of the committee and founder of an HIV/AIDS advocacy organization called Committee of Ten Thousand. ... “With the science so far, it’s a leap of faith,” he said.

The group’s skepticism contrasts with a Health and Human Services Department panel, which voted nearly unanimously to ease the policy earlier this fall.

The FDA panel was not asked to take a vote, a spokeswoman for the agency said. But if they had, one source said the group would have likely said no — just like they did during their last vote on the issue in 2010. ... “The committee would not have voted to lower the ban. It would have been split right down the middle,” according to a source familiar with the discussions.

[JustAnotherGen]

1. That's so dumb

If you haven't been promiscuous - and have tested negative - there is no risk.

There could be a greater risk from some woman who has long been married and whose husband cheats on her.

She might not know for a very long time.

And these folks are telling me they are going to ban gay men? *eyebrow raised here*

I've had two friends who found out their husbands were cheating and their marriages ended because of what they had brought home to them.

Everyone - everyone - is at risk.

And isn't there a way to test the donated blood? I had no idea this ban was still in place.

[joeybee12]

2. Correct me, but I think most other countries don't have this ban any more...

Seems stupid with testing for the virus now easy and cheap.