Posted by James K on March 7, 2006, at 18:19:29
In reply to GAY MALE blood donors!!, posted by pseudoname on March 7, 2006, at 17:55:55
Wow, this hits me on many interesting levels. I'm banned from giving blood, which is something I am a big fan of. I don't know why. I must have checked the wrong answer some time 10 years ago and they wouldn't tell me why I'm banned. I'm hetero, haven't traveled, no tatoos etc. whatever.
I did spend 5 years working as a file clerk on law suits where hemophiliacs got aids from bad blood mixed into the factor they got. I worked on the defense side. The deaths were tragic, but this was in the really early days, before HIv was known. The pharmaceutical companies claim, and I kind of believe them, was that they took plasma from skid row, and "gay" parts of town because they wanted hepatitis antibodies in the product to protect their clients. Once they found a way to heat treat the finished product, it was moot, except for the infected young men. I've never heard of heat treating for donated blood, but it seemed to be a possibility 10 years ago, so I don't know what happened.
But with testing, and the fact that HIV isn't even close to being a "gay" disease anymore, I'm glad they see sense. I'm rambling, I have to get out the door to go vote in the primaries, but congratulations on getting back (maybe) the right to be a good citizen.
James K
poster:James K
thread:617192
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20060303/msgs/617199.html