FDA May Lift 31 Year Ban on Blood Donations from Gay Men

The Federal Drug Administration will consider lifting a ban that bars gay men from donating blood.

The FDA has banned gays from donating blood, citing their increased risk for transmitting HIV.

The ban has been in place since 1983.

Last month, doctors and blood donation advocates voted to suggest changing that policy.

“We want to make sure we’re not needlessly deferring people who could donate,” said Scott Edward, United Blood Services Regional Recruitment Director.

“So if you have a deferral that’s longer than it needs to be, then it’s taking potential good donors out of the donor pool.”

The FDA will hear the panel’s review on Tuesday.