US to make it easier for gay men to donate blood - BBC News

The FDA will soon remove a three month abstinence policy for donations for men who have sex with men.

17 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesBy Chloe KimBBC News, WashingtonThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced it will be changing a current three month abstinence policy for blood donations from gay men.

Current rules only allow donations if a man has not had sex with another man for that period.

Under new "individual risk-based" draft rules, all potential donors would be asked about new or multiple sexual partners in the past three months.

The FDA hopes this change will encourage more blood donations.

"This proposal for an individual risk assessment, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, will enable us to continue using the best science" to ensure an adequate and safe blood supply, said FDA Commissioner Robert Califf in a statement on Friday.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-64433434?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

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