The MSM Blood Ban

by Selena Sherwood

In the wake of the Orlando shooting and the ongoing blood shortage in the

US, the FDA ban on MSM (men who have sex with men) donated blood is

being reconsidered.

After the horrific AIDS epidemic in the 1980’s the FDA placed a lifetime ban

on MSM looking to donate blood, bisexual MSM’s female partners, and trans

women who have had sex with men. This ban prevented even the safest

MSM from donating, not even accepting those who’ve tested negative, only

practice safe sex, have been abstinent for years, and those in strictly

monogamous relationships.

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The law has been most criticized for seemingly associating homosexual sex
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with risky sex and behaviors putting MSM along with those who’ve received

an animal organ transplant and people who inject nonprescription drugs.

This also means a homosexual couple who’ve both tested negative and are

each other’s only partners are considered less safe than a heterosexual male

having unprotected sex with multiple partners.

Currently, the law requires a MSM to remain abstinent for 12 months before

donating, whether or not they are in a relationship, restricting over 130,000

people from donating in the United Sates. This year long wait is said to be

based on fear more than anything, because of recent advancements in

technology used in testing with HIV tests detecting the presence of the virus

after only 3-4 weeks after contraction and new RNA tests only 10 days after

contraction. Making it safer, easier, and more accurate than ever to test for

AIDS and HIV.

Researchers at Columbia University recommend a shift the “Assess and Test”

method which works by first asking donors about their sexual history, then

requiring those deemed risky to be abstinent for a short period so they may

be accurately be tested. This method could be used on people of all genders

and sexualities, proving to be more equally inclusive and would bring in an

estimated 219,200 pints of new blood. The biggest roadblock in the way of

this new method is thought to be the reaction the in more conservative

states, says Mark Skinner, former president of the World Federation of

Hemophilia. He fears that the idea of being questioned more about sexual

history may drive away some potential donors for privacy and comfort

reasons.

With blood shortages all too common today and the demand for blood still

great, the FDA will likely soon make changes to this outdated ban, but until

then, many men and women will be left unable to lend a hand and a pint or

2 of blood to a nation in need.