FDA Changes Restrictions For Blood Donations From Gay Men

U.S. Health officials have lifted the 32-year-old lifetime ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men. While the lifetime ban has been lifted, several stringent restrictions still remain in place.

Gay activists and medical professionals have been saying for years that the ban is no longer needed or justified due to modern testing methods, and on Monday the FDA said that this change is "backed by sound science and continues to protect our blood supply.”

The blanket ban has been replaced with a policy that bars donations from men who have had sex with another man in the past 12 months. This change has been criticized, but the FDA stance is similar to those in other countries like Australia and the U.K.

Source: FDA Changes Restrictions For Blood Donations From Gay Men