End gay blood ban.

[Ghostsuit]

Originally Posted by Hammer

Can't remember the exact wording, but it's something like 'engaged in intercourse with someone of the same sex'. Also, as far as bisexuals go, there are restrictions on their female partners as well, although that might be time limited.

I would presume that you can become infected with HIV without having penetrative sex at all. Through ingesting semen for example.

I believe the chance of HIV through ingesting semen is extremely unlikely.

Originally Posted by Witch

He doesnt say were he is getting these statistics from, thats where i have the problem "donating entering the blood supply by about ...." thats not very specific. He also states that figures WOULD indicate.

the statistics part of the news report states "The last available figures from the Office of National Statistics are from 2005 and show that HIV cases are rapidly on the increase among both homosexuals and heterosexuals.

In 2005 there were 4,049 new cases in the UK involving heterosexuals, compared with 840 in 1996.

In the gay community, the number of cases rose to a new record of 2,356 in 2005, from 1,553 in 1996."

In the 9 year gap, the amount of straight cases of HIV has went up by 3,029 people, whereas the gay cases have only went up by 803. Thats a big difference

I think you missed this bit off the stats page you seem to be quoting

"MSM remain the behavioural group at greatest risk of acquiring HIV within the UK (The term MSM refers to men who have sex with men.)"

It's all about risk and while in prinicipal I'd love everyone to be completely equal when it comes to things like this you have to take the averages into account and cut the risk as much as possible.

Hense all the restrictions and if you want to read more on the reasons for excluding MSM group then read this http://www.blood.co.uk/pdfdocs/posit..._exclusion.pdf I've had a quick scan and it seems rather sensible.

Also take note there is no ban on gay people giving blood, lesbians are more than acceptable it's just the MSM group thats prevented.

Oh and for full details on who can't give blood https://secure.blood.co.uk/c11_cant.asp (pretty sure thats the english service though.)

[Joe Spinebuster]

Lesbians can still donate blood, right? And gay men who are only kissing and cuddling rather than doing that horrible other thing that they do? If that's right, then anyone who thinks that this has anything to do with excluding people due to their preferred sexual orientation, rather than just trying to avoid high-risk blood from those who partake in high-risk methods of sexual activity, are fucking crazy. Maybe I have the facts wrong, there, but if I'm right then the title of this trhead and news story discussed in the first post are horribly blown-out-of-context wastes of time.

[Draven]

Whilst I was originally for anybody giving blood, after seeing some of those statistics I'd be inclined to believe that it isn't a case of homophobia, but following the statistics - it's more than likely that the legislation is correct cost considered.

It seems to me it doesn't target homosexuals, just bum sex, so it in effect is not homophobic.

[evilglamcaitlin]

When I asked about it at the Blood Donation Centre they implied that the screening for HIV/AIDS isn't 100% accurate, and also I seem to recall that the detectable presence of HIV in the blood stream can remain undetected for something like 6 weeks after being exposed, and so wouldn't be picked up if the person donated blood during this time. I'll try and find a source for that.

[Ghostsuit]

Originally Posted by evilglamcaitlin

When I asked about it at the Blood Donation Centre they implied that the screening for HIV/AIDS isn't 100% accurate, and also I seem to recall that the detectable presence of HIV in the blood stream can remain undetected for something like 6 weeks after being exposed, and so wouldn't be picked up if the person donated blood during this time. I'll try and find a source for that.

It's mentioned in one of the links I posted. It's the Window period between getting the infection and it giving a positive result for it in tests.

While this period is the same for everyone it they try to reduce the impact this has by excluding groups of people at the most risk, MSM, recently Tattooed, people who have had sexy with people from Africa etc

[Vonnie]

I get quite ratty about being unable to donate because I've had a blood transfusion since 1980. Admittedly this joke writes itself but you'd think they'd be able to tell if in seven years I had developed BSE. I really want to donate, I think it's only right since a transfusion saved me and my son's life but legislation means I can't.

[LesMTS]

Originally Posted by Vonnie

I get quite ratty about being unable to donate because I've had a blood transfusion since 1980. Admittedly this joke writes itself but you'd think they'd be able to tell if in seven years I had developed BSE. I really want to donate, I think it's only right since a transfusion saved me and my son's life but legislation means I can't.

The incubation period of the agent which causes nvCJD (the "human" version of BSE) might be anything up to 25 years. Until they know for sure, I reckon it's best to keep the current legislation.

[Vonnie]

Originally Posted by LesMTS

The incubation period of the agent which causes nvCJD (the "human" version of BSE) might be anything up to 25 years. Until they know for sure, I reckon it's best to keep the current legislation.

I take it there's no way to screen for the agent? (I know absolutely nowt about that kind of thing)

[LesMTS]

Originally Posted by Vonnie

I take it there's no way to screen for the agent? (I know absolutely nowt about that kind of thing)

Not currently. It's a research priority, though.
I'm not sure why there isn't, actually, the protein responsible has been isolated so it should be relatively straightforward to develop an immunological test. I'm going to have a wee read up on it, there has to be an obvious reason I'm overlooking.

[TinTin]

I can understand why they have this rule but it seems a bit odd. A gay man who has only ever had safe sex cannot give blood whereas a hetrosexual man who does not practise safe sex can. Also, how are they going to know? If you really wanted to donate, you still could and just say you haven't. Although I don't think that is the right thing to do. I remember reading about gay blood donors in South Africa threathing to flood the country with "Gay Blood" as they were going to prevent them from donating.

Do the same rules apply for organ donations?

[Hammer]

Originally Posted by TinTin

Do the same rules apply for organ donations?

Nope. They'll take my organs, but not my blood.

[Witch]

Thats all sorts of bizarre

[Pantgirl]

Originally Posted by Rowsbette

I think it's any males that have had anal sex.

One of the questions for girls asks if you've ever had sex with a guy who's had anal sex. As if your boyfriend's gonna tell you about all his homosexual experimentation!

Oh well I can't give blood now then

[evilglamcaitlin]

Originally Posted by Pantgirl

Oh well I can't give blood now then

THIS JUST GOT INTERESTING.

[dil_em_ma]

Originally Posted by Pantgirl

Oh well I can't give blood now then

Nah you just have to wait a year before giving blood...