Gay Blood Donors

[jomifl]

In France donation of blood by homosexuals is banned presumably because of the assumed risk of HIV transmission. I received an online petition today by a 'gay care worker' who wants the law/practice change because it is discriminatory to gays. Not knowing what the risks are and whether there is such a shortage of blood that the possible risks might be justifiable I have no way of deciding whether to sign or not. How much risk to a persons life is equivalent to feeling discriminated against? or is it not an issue at all?

[jomifl]

Baldric, like me you don't want your life put at risk just to make a few gays feel more included :o)

[Quizmonkey]

Good to see that racism, homophobia and pure ignorance are alive and kicking on Answerbank

[pixie373]

I don't think any blood should be given until it has passed any latency risk. It doesn't matter who it comes from- that person either has HIV or they don't.

[Sqad]

Yes HIV is increasing in both heterosexual and homosexual groups, but faster in "men having sex with men."

jomifl...a simple answer to your predicament:

If you needed a blood transfusion and you had the choice of equally compatible blood from a homosexual or a heterosexual.....which would you choice?

your answer to that question will give you the answer to whether to sign the petition.

[slaney]

@jomfil at 13.42 yes.
In 2011 the UK went from a total ban (indefinite referral) on homosexual and bisexual blood donors to taking blood from those who had not had sex in the previous year
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14824310

My own view is that with ever better screening methods and falling new cases of HIV that there will be a further relaxation of donation criteria in the next five years.

In 2008 in the UK there were 7382 new cases of HIV diagnosed - 8% in the over 50s, and therefore even less in the over 60s.
By 2012 this had fallen slightly to 6360. The trend is downwards...
http://www.nat.org.uk/media/Images/HIV-facts/Latest-UK-statistics-Dec-2013/New%20HIV%20diagnose_small.JPG

[Quizmonkey]

Yes, Slaney. that's right - but arrogant and naive to try and dictate people's individual sexual activity! The decision/change was incredibly offensive and many thought it unbelievable that a respected authority could make such a move that is wrong/outdated on so many levels.

There is no scientific justification of the UK's stance - look at the situation in so many other 'advanced, developed' nations. Pure ideological reasons and hardly 'equality'.

[Baldric]

Jom @ 1350,
Not really, To be honest I'm not really fussed if (quote) a few Gays feel more included (end quote) or not, same applies to any other classification you can name, I just want to know that any Blood I receive has been effectively screened for anything that may harm me!

[Peter Pedant]

Slaney is correct - there is a higher prevalence ( and incidence)
so there is a higher risk...

AND there is a possibility of a window of testing negative when you are positive.

However having had an enforced HIV test when I was looking pretty crap with lymphoma and lymphopenia, on recovery I said - hold it I had 50% CD4 cells which is not compatible with an HIV diagnosis and the junior staff went like: 'er er er'
so there is quite a lot of education that is needed out there....

[jomifl]

Sqad, if only logic applied to these social situations. My reasoning has parallelled yours. I think the petitioner is irresponsible to mix issues like this, not having to give blood is hardly a social stigma unless it is made into one. The prime purpose of medicine is to preserve life not egos.

[jomifl]

C&J how do you reconcile your claimed figure of 25% of new HIV diagnoses in the over 60s with Slaney's figure of

[anneasquith]

id like to know where all these over 60's who are having so much sex are ? :)

[naomi24]

I agree with Baldric. I just want to know that any blood I receive has been effectively screened for anything that may harm me too - but if there were any doubt, offend or please, I wouldn't want it pumped into my veins.

[Peter Pedant]

QM // Good to see that racism, homophobia and pure ignorance are alive and kicking on Answerbank //

pure ignorance like the poor will always be with us QM

[Peter Pedant]

25% of new diagnoses of HIV are older than 60
reference anyone ?

I agree anne - so many English Berlusconis out there all looking like ex-Indian Army colonels....( of Tunbridge Wells )

[Peter Pedant]

Blood transfusion in itself with good nourishing heterosexual blood is not without risks.

Infection, clotting, cross match etc etc

Hep C was a problem in the 70 s and 80s purely because we didnt know about it. I agree HIV carries a much greater social stigma....

[EDDIE51]

When a male goes to give blood here in UK you are asked if you have EVER had sex with another man , if the answer is 'yes' you are barred from giving blood for the rest of your life. Nothing to do with discrimination just to cut the risk of AIDS. You have to sign a declaration to that effect every time you donate. I have a Gold badge for 50+ donations but I still have to sign it every time I go. You are also warned that making a false declaration is a criminal offence and you can be prosecuted.

[EDDIE51]

^^ Sorry, should have said that you are asked if you have EVER had anal sex with another man, gays are not barred but they must be prepared to declare on risk of prosecution that they have NEVER had anal sex.

[Peter Pedant]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2698362/HIV-diagnosis-rate-fell-US-decade.html

from the hacks at the Daily Wail

and they just have no idea why anythhing has occurred

[whiskeryron]

That's good enough for me EDDIE51