Ban kept for 'gay' men donating blood

[Soldier4Christ]

Ban kept for 'gay' men donating blood 
FDA affirms 1983 prohibition meant to prevent spread of HIV

 Gay men remain banned for life from donating blood, the government said Wednesday, leaving in place—for now—a 1983 prohibition meant to prevent the spread of HIV through transfusions.

The Food and Drug Administration reiterated its long-standing policy on its Web site Wednesday, more than a year after the Red Cross and two other blood groups criticized the policy as "medically and scientifically unwarranted."

"I am disappointed, I must confess," said Dr. Celso Bianco, executive vice president of America's Blood Centers, whose members provide nearly half the nation's blood supply.

Before giving blood, all men are asked if they have had homosexual relations. Those who say they have are permanently banned from donating. The FDA said those men are at increased risk of infection by HIV that can be transmitted to others by blood transfusion.

In March 2006, the Red Cross, the international blood association AABB and America's Blood Centers proposed replacing the lifetime ban with a one-year deferral following homosexual relational contact.

In a document posted Wednesday, the FDA said it would change its policy if given data that show doing so wouldn't pose a "significant and preventable" risk to blood recipients.

"It is a way of saying, 'Whatever was presented to us was not sufficient to make us change our minds,'" Bianco said.

The FDA said HIV tests currently in use are highly accurate, but still cannot detect the virus 100 percent of the time. The estimated HIV risk from a unit of blood is currently about one per 2 million in the United States, according to the agency.

Critics of the exclusionary policy said it bars potential healthy donors, despite the increasing need for donated blood, and discriminates against gays. The FDA recognized the policy defers many healthy donors but rejected the suggestion it's discriminatory.

Anyone who's used intravenous drugs or been paid for sex also is permanently barred from donating blood.

[Soldier4Christ]

And well they should. The homosexual community accounts for much more than half of the current cases of aids in the U.S. This is just plain facts and nothing "discriminatory" to it.

[Brother Jerry]

Yep. 

[MusicMedic5150]

Let's look at something here. Suppose the aclu decides to sue the Red Cross on behalf of the homosexuals and wins. What if you and I need a blood transfusion and we receive the blood that was donated from one, and contract the HIV virus. Who should be held accountable? Where are my rights if I am unconscious and have no choice in the matter? The Ryan White act was established for this exact scenario.

[Shammu]

Let's look at something here. Suppose the aclu decides to sue the Red Cross on behalf of the homosexuals and wins. What if you and I need a blood transfusion and we receive the blood that was donated from one, and contract the HIV virus. Who should be held accountable?

The Anti Christian Lawless Union, should be held accountable.  They only want lawlessness to  roam here in the U.S.A.

[Faithin1]

The Anti Christian Lawless Union, should be held accountable.  They only want lawlessness to  roam here in the U.S.A.

How true!