FDA Upholds Ruling that Denies Gay Men from Giving Blood Donations

A 1983 prohibition banned gay men, for life, from donating blood. On Wednesday, the government said they were keeping that policy in place, according to the Associated Press. This practice was put into effect to stop the spread of the HIV virus through transfusions.

The Red Cross and other blood groups had criticized the ban. The Associated Press said they referred to it as "medically and scientifically unwarranted." The FDA stands by it's decision.

All men who donate blood are asked if they have ever had sex with another man, after 1977. Even if it was just once, that is enough to get them banned for life. The Food and Drug Administration says that puts these men at a greater risk of carrying the HIV virus, which can be contracted through a blood transfusion.

Last year, in March, the Red Cross, the AABB, and America's Blood Centers told the FDA that new methods of testing could detect donors in 10 to 21 days. This would make the ban unnecessary. They asked to replace it with a one year waiting period, according to the Associated Press.

The FDA posted a document on Wednesday stating the policy could change if data was shown that could prove it would not pose a "significant and preventable" risk to transfusion recipients.

With regards to the document the Associated Press quoted Dr. Celso Bianco, executive vice president of America's Blood Centers as saying, "It is a way of saying, 'Whatever was presented to us was not sufficient to make us change our minds.'"

According to the FDA, HIV testing that is currently used provides highly accurate results. Yet the estimated risk of contracting HIV through a unit of blood is still about one in 2 million. Meaning the tests are not 100% accurate all the time.

Those opposed to the ban, citing the need for donated blood, say it is barring potentially healthy donors. Critics also claim the restriction is discriminatory against gay men. While the FDA acknowledges the potential loss of healthy donors, it denies the discrimination.

The Food and Drug Administration also has a lifetime ban on those who have used intravenous drugs or have been paid to have sex.

Here is the Blood Safety System used by the FDA.

Source: the Associated Press; "Ban Kept for Gay Men Donating Blood"