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]

It would be interesting to know how the HIV infection rate from each different means has varied with time, but that is not really the issue. The issue is whether it is reasonable for gays to expect non gays to put themselves at any extra and un-necessary risk purely so the gays(of the anal sex persuasion) can feel more at ease.>

[Cloverjo]

Women who have had sex with a man who has ever had anal sex with another man are also barred from giving blood.

[jomifl]

So it isn't discrimination against gays it is discrimination against people whose sexual practices put them at a higher risk of being infected with HIV. You can be gay and donate blood if you aren't in a high risk category.

[askyourgran]

I want to know where all these over 60's orgies are.....do tell.

[tonyav]

I'll tell you in three years time, ayg ;-)

[sunny-dave]

AyG - just get yourself over to

AB Towers
Kettering
NN69 5EX

Knock twice and ask for Ed - the password is "I'm an AnswerBanker"

[tonyav]

Psssst, thanks Dave.

[askyourgran]

Thanks guys, I think I can hang on long enough tonyav, if not......... I'll be a-knocking Ed! :]

[237SJ]

Gosh, in the late 80s I lost so many colleagues to AIDS. They were all gay men. I remember a colleague who took her husband to East Africa and he came a cropper in some kind of accident and he needed a blood transfusion. The powers that be contacted all of the airline crews who were staying in the area so that they could find someone who could donate some blood. They managed to get a northern European airline (probably the only ones who weren`t in the bar) but they only wanted the girls to donate. I don`t think there is anything wrong in going for the least risk option.

[EDDIE51]

Cloverjo is correct, the Blood Transfusion service has a ban on ANYONE who has had anal sex with a man who has had anal sex with anyone else.
So it is a ban based on sexual preferences NOT on being 'Gay' or 'Straight' .