Gay Blood Ban to Be Lifted?

It is hard to appreciate now the fear and uncertainty created when it was found to be transmitted in blood donations in the initial years of the AIDS epidemic (Watch HBO’s And the Band Played On or read the book!) during the early 1980s. Fear about protecting the blood supply led to a ban on blood donated from any gay men, a ban that has yet to be lifted more than 30 years later. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be discussing lifting or revising the ban on Dec. 2.

When established in 1983, HIV and AIDS had just hit everyone’s radar and scientists were trying to identify the virus and learn more about it. To protect people who received donated blood, the FDA set rules that prohibit men who have had sex with another man at any time (even once) since 1977 to donate any blood. The FDA implemented the rule in 1983 to avoid passing on the virus. The policy was applauded then as a safety measure since no screening tests had been developed at that time to identify whether the blood was HIV positive or not.

Since then, tests have been developed. The FDA rule has been re-evaluated periodically, but not really changed. Now, many are questioning whether what seemed reasonable and necessary 30 years ago is now unjustifiable.

Critics of retaining the ban, including Congress members and health experts, believe the Dec. 2 hearing is a step in the right direction. Today, with more accurate testing, blood organizations like the American Red Cross and America’s Blood Centers as well as several members of Congress believe that the lifetime ban is no longer “medically and scientifically unwarranted.” and are calling for change.

During the session, the FDA committee will review scientific data and an update from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on blood and tissue safety. The FDA could decide to retain the current ban (which was their decision in previous reviews), eliminate it completely or implement a one-year deferral or lag time between the last time the donor engaged in gay sex and the donation.

A federal advisory committee made a recommendation to adopt a one-year deferral. Argentina, Hungary, Australia, Japan and Sweden have one-year deferrals. In Italy and Spain, they review each case and screen for high-risk sexual practices (i.e., unprotected sex or engage in sex with multiple partners). Those countries then decide to defer donors if warranted.

Critics argue a one-year deferral is excessive, however, because it excludes the majority of gay men, including those who have been in monogamous relationships for years or used condoms. (In addition, all donated blood is tested.)

The FDA has reportedly believes the deferral is needed because men who engage in sex with other men as a group are at higher risk for contracting infections transmissible by blood and HIV. They also point out that there is a lag time between when someone contracts a virus like HIV and when it shows up in their blood.

Given the newer medical research and blood testing capabilities, it is clear that the ban on blood donations from gay men should be lifted. The agency could make a change without the possibility of compromising the blood supply. The deferral seems like overkill by keeping a permanent ban in pace for gay men who practice safe sex. However, if need be, it is a first step.

By Dyanne Weiss

Sources:
Washington Post
Fox News
CNN
New York Times