“A complete ban is unfair and discriminatory but we need to protect public health, so the 10-year rule is what is being considered.''
An unnamed ''government source'' quoted by the Telegraph UK regarding the proposed change to restrictions against blood donations from gay men. The United Kingdom's new regulations would allow blood donations by gay men who have not had sex with men within the past 10 years. (Telegraph.co.uk)
Blood bans were put into effect in many countries in the 1980s as AIDS devastated the gay community. Many arguments have been made against the blanket ban that exists in the United States, too -- primarily that the ban discriminates against men who have not engaged in high-risk sex for a long time. A committee reviewed the issue last year, but no change was made to the policy.
