The Red Cross and two other blood donation agencies have asked since 2006 for the lifetime ban to be turned into a year deferrment. First Bush's, and now Obama's, FDA are the people saying no. Science is on gay people's side here. It is as simple as that.
WASHINGTON - Gay men remain banned for life from donating blood, the government said Wednesday, leaving in place — for now — a 1983 prohibition meant to prevent the spread of HIV through transfusions.
The Food and Drug Administration reiterated its long-standing policy on its Web site Wednesday, more than a year after the Red Cross and two other blood groups criticized the policy as “medically and scientifically unwarranted.”
“I am disappointed, I must confess,” said Dr. Celso Bianco, executive vice president of America’s Blood Centers, whose members provide nearly half the nation’s blood supply.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18827137/