HIV blood transfusion debate

November 4, 2008

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The blood transfusion service today warned against calls to allow gay men to make donations. National director Keith Thompson told the Scottish Parliament that HIV infection was rising among gay men. In a letter to the public petitions committee, Mr Thompson said one-third of HIV-infected blood samples are later revealed to be from gay men. However, a petition by Rob McDowall was lodged with the committee calling for a review to allow healthy gay and bisexual men to donate blood.

Gay and lesbian groups argued that men are allowed to donate blood one year after having unprotected sex with a woman known to be HIV-positive. They said current rules also allow men to donate one year after having unprotected sex with intravenous drug users or prostitutes.
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