Ban on Blood Donation Remains

After emotional testimony from those on both sides of the issue, the Advisory Committee on Blood Safety and Availability recommended Friday that the ban prohibiting homosexual men from donating blood should not be lifted at this point.   The Committee, did, however, recognize that there needs to be more research on the subject to come to a definitive conclusion about the risks to the blood supply should the ban be lifted.

Gay advocacy groups noted that heterosexuals who admit to having sex with someone who is HIV positive are simply deferred to wait one year before donating, while gay men are banned for life.

Nathan Schaeffer, a spokesman for the Gay Men’s Health Crisis testified that most gay men practice safe sex and are, therefore, low risk donors (MSNBC).  The group also pointed out that other countries focus on high risk behavior rather than sexual orientation before determining who can and cannot donate blood.

The American Red Cross and America’s Blood Centers (ABC) are in favor of lifting the ban, citing that research does not justify keeping it in place.  They urged the panel to lift the ban on MSM (men who have sex with another man) and impose the same donor deferral recommendations that other high risk donors are subjected to. 

A joint statement addressing the Health and Human Services Committee from the American Red Cross, America’s Blood Center and AABB can be found on the Red Cross website.