why cant gay people donate plasma
Why Can’t Gay People Donate Plasma?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) places certain restrictions on who can donate plasma that includes an indefinite deferral for men who have had sex with other men (MSM) since 1977. This restriction has been a source of debate for the LGBT+ community for decades, due to its unfair and discriminatory nature.
Plasma is a vital component of modern medicine and is used to treat a variety of conditions, such as hemophilia, immune deficiencies, and respiratory diseases. As such, it is in high demand by medical centers around the world, and the lack of gay donors puts a strain on the supply. It is estimated that if the FDA lifted its restrictions on gay plasma donations, an additional 300,000 donors could be added to the donor pool each year.
The FDA’s restrictions on gay donors are based on the fact that MSM are at an increased risk for HIV, hepatitis B, and other blood-borne infectious diseases. While it is true that gay men are at an elevated risk for these illnesses, there are other factors such as a lack of access to healthcare and stigma that play a role in the higher prevalence.
In addition, the FDA’s policies don’t take into account the advances in testing technology that have made it much easier to detect HIV and other blood-borne illnesses in donated plasma. Modern testing can detect HIV within 10 days of infection and is highly accurate. This means that even if a donor has recently contracted HIV, their donation would still be safe.
Despite the advances in testing technology, the FDA still has not changed its policy on gay plasma donations, and the restrictions remain in place. This has been a source of frustration for the LGBT+ community, and activists have been pushing for the restrictions to be lifted for years.
FAQs
Q: What is plasma?
A: Plasma is a yellowish, liquid component of blood that is made up of water, protein, and other nutrients. It is used to treat a variety of medical conditions, such as hemophilia, immune deficiencies, and respiratory diseases.
Q: Why can’t gay people donate plasma?
A: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently places an indefinite deferral on gay men who have had sex with other men since 1977, due to the increased risk of HIV, hepatitis B, and other blood-borne infectious diseases.
Q: Are there any advances in testing technology that could allow for gay people to donate plasma?
A: Yes, modern testing can detect HIV within 10 days of infection and is highly accurate. This means that even if a donor has recently contracted HIV, their donation would still be safe.
Q: Is there anything the LGBT+ community can do to help change the FDA’s policies?
A: Activists have been pushing for the restrictions to be lifted for years, and there are a number of petitions and campaigns that are working to make the FDA reconsider its policies.
Conclusion
The FDA’s policy on gay plasma donations is outdated and unfair, and the LGBT+ community has been pushing for change for years. While advances in testing technology mean that donations from gay men would still be safe, the FDA has yet to lift its restrictions. In order to help make a change, LGBT+ activists are continuing to fight for the rights of gay people to donate plasma.
Links
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lgbt-rights-blood-donation-ban_n_5b5f5b5de4b0a8f17e56c4d4
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