It's about bloody time....

petros

The Central Scrutinizer
Nov 21, 2008
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Canada lifts lifetime ban on gay men giving blood

OTTAWA—The federal blood donor agency is lifting its lifetime ban on gay men giving blood.


Canadian Blood Services announced Wednesday it has received approval from Health Canada to reduce its restriction on men who have sex with men donating blood from indefinitely to five years.


“We recognize that many people will feel that this change does not go far enough, but given the history of the blood system in Canada, we see this as a first and prudent step forward on this policy,” Dr. Dana Devine, vice-president of medical, scientific and research affairs at the federal blood donor agency said in a news release Wednesday.


“It’s the right thing to do and we are committed to regular review of this policy as additional data emerge and new technologies are implemented,” Devine said in the statement.


The new policy will come into effect this summer.


The new screening questionnaire will ask potential male donors whether they have had sexual intercourse with another man in the past five years.


Potential male donors are currently asked if they have had sex with another man even once since 1977, a policy meant way to curb the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS from blood transfusions.


“The change means that any man who has not had sex with another man in the last five years and meets other screening criteria may be eligible to give blood,” the Canadian Blood Services said in its release.


Canada lifts lifetime ban on gay men giving blood | Toronto Star
 

Walter

Hall of Fame Member
Jan 28, 2007
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Once bitten....

How many haemophiliacs must die this time? Very few of them survived the first fiasco in the 80's.
 

petros

The Central Scrutinizer
Nov 21, 2008
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All they have to do is not have sex for 5 years!

It's still just as harsh for hetros.

1. a) Are you feeling well today? ..................................................................................................................................................

b) Do you have a cold, flu, sore throat, fever, infection or allergy problem today? ..................................................................

2. a) In the last 3 days have you taken any medicine or drugs (pills including Aspirin or shots), other than birth control pills

and vitamins? ......................................................................................................................................................................

b) In the last 3 days have you had dental work? ....................................................................................................................

3. In the last month have you had an AIDS (HIV) test other than for donating blood? ...............................................................

4. a) In the last 3 months have you had a vaccination? ...............................................................................................................

b) In the last month have you taken Accutane, Clarus (isotretinoin), Toctino (alitretinoin), Proscar, Propecia (finasteride),

5. a) In the last 6 months have you been under a doctor’s care or had surgery? .......................................................................

b) If female, in the last 6 months have you been pregnant? ....................................................................................................

c) In the last 6 months have you taken Avodart, Jalyn (dutasteride) or Methotrexate? ...........................................................

d) In the last 6 months have you had a tattoo, ear or skin piercing, acupuncture or electrolysis? ..........................................

e) In the last 6 months have you had an injury from a needle or come in contact with someone else’s blood? .....................

6. a) In the last 12 months have you had a rabies shot or a graft? .............................................................................................

b) In the last 12 months have you had close contact with a person who has had hepatitis or yellow jaundice? ....................

c) In the last 12 months have you been in jail or prison? ........................................................................................................

7. a) In the last 12 months have you travelled outside Canada or the U.S. and stayed less than 6 months?.............................

b) In the last 3 and a half years have you spent more than 6 months in a continuous period outside Canada or the U.S.? ...

8. a) Since 1980, did you receive a blood transfusion or blood product in the United Kingdom, France or elsewhere in Europe?

b) Have you spent a total of 3 months or more in the United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales,

the Isle of Man, or the Channel Islands) from January 1, 1980 through December 31, 1996? ...........................................

c) Have you spent a total of 3 months or more in France from January 1, 1980 through December 31, 1996? .....................

d) Have you spent a total of 6 months or more in Saudi Arabia from January 1, 1980 through December 31, 1996? ...........

9. Have you ever had malaria? ..................................................................................................................................................

10. a) Have you ever taken Tegison or Soriatane for skin problems? ...........................................................................................

b) Have you ever taken human pituitary growth hormone or received a dura mater (brain covering) graft ?...........................

11. Have you ever had:

a) yellow jaundice (other than at birth) or hepatitis? ................................................................................................................

b) epilepsy, coma, stroke or fainting? ......................................................................................................................................

c) cancer, diabetes or Crohn’s disease? .................................................................................................................................

d) heart, kidney, lung or blood problems? ...............................................................................................................................

e) Chagas’ disease, babesiosis or leishmaniasis? ..................................................................................................................

12. Are you aware of a diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease among any of your blood relatives (parent, child, sibling)? ......

13. Have you, in your past or present job, taken care of or handled monkeys or their body fluids? ..............................................

14. a) Have you spent a total of 6 months or more in a continuous period in Mexico, Central America or South America? .........

b) Were you born in Mexico, Central America or South America? ..........................................................................................

c) Was your mother or grandmother born in Mexico, Central America or South America? .....................................................

15. Do you have AIDS or have you ever tested positive for HIV/AIDS? ......................................................................................

16. Have you used cocaine within the last 12 months? .................................................................................................................

17. Have you taken illegal steroids by needle in the last 12 months? ...........................................................................................

18. At any time since 1977, have you taken money or drugs for sex? ..........................................................................................

19. Male donors: Have you had sex with a man, even one time since 1977? ...............................................................................

21. Have you ever taken clotting factor concentrates for a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia? .............................................

22. Have you had sex with anyone who has AIDS or has tested positive for HIV or AIDS? .........................................................

23. Female donors: In the last 12 months, have you had sex with a man who had sex, even one time since 1977 with

another man? ...........................................................................................................................................................................

24. Have you had sex in the last 12 months with anyone who has ever taken illegal drugs or illegal steroids with a needle? ....

25. At any time in the last 12 months, have you paid money or drugs for sex? ............................................................................

26. At any time in the last 12 months, have you had sex with anyone who has taken money or drugs for sex? ..........................

27. Have you had sex in the last 6 months with anyone who has taken clotting factor concentrates? .........................................

28. In the last 12 months, have you had or been treated for syphilis or gonorrhea? ....................................................................

29. In the last 12 months, have you received blood or blood products by transfusion for any reason,

30. In the past 6 months, have you had sex with someone whose sexual background you don’t know? .....................................

31. a) Were you born in or have you lived in Africa since 1977?...................................................................................................

b) Since 1977, did you receive a blood transfusion or blood product in Africa?......................................................................

c) Have you had sexual contact with anyone who was born in or lived in Africa since 1977? ................................................



Once bitten....

How many haemophiliacs must die this time? Very few of them survived the first fiasco in the 80's.


I'm a thrombophiliac which through meds I am pushed into hemophiliac territory, if my INR goes over 5 and I'm wounded I'm going to need somebody's blood.

I'll take a gays blood over Wally's anyday.
 

karrie

OogedyBoogedy
Jan 6, 2007
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They should be asking the same questions of everyone, all the time....

Have you had sex with a new partner in the last five years?
Have you been tested for HIV since having sex with said new partner?

If you're living a 'promiscuous' life, and not getting screened for HIV, then you're a risk to the blood donor system, whether you're gay, straight, bi, or anything in between.
 

petros

The Central Scrutinizer
Nov 21, 2008
109,461
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It's still biased as all Hell. At least Canada isn't like the US where they pay homeless people to donate.
 

IdRatherBeSkiing

Satelitte Radio Addict
May 28, 2007
14,622
2,376
113
Toronto, ON
It's still just as harsh for hetros.

1. a) Are you feeling well today? ..................................................................................................................................................

b) Do you have a cold, flu, sore throat, fever, infection or allergy problem today? ..................................................................

2. a) In the last 3 days have you taken any medicine or drugs (pills including Aspirin or shots), other than birth control pills

and vitamins? ......................................................................................................................................................................

b) In the last 3 days have you had dental work? ....................................................................................................................

3. In the last month have you had an AIDS (HIV) test other than for donating blood? ...............................................................

4. a) In the last 3 months have you had a vaccination? ...............................................................................................................

b) In the last month have you taken Accutane, Clarus (isotretinoin), Toctino (alitretinoin), Proscar, Propecia (finasteride),

5. a) In the last 6 months have you been under a doctor’s care or had surgery? .......................................................................

b) If female, in the last 6 months have you been pregnant? ....................................................................................................

c) In the last 6 months have you taken Avodart, Jalyn (dutasteride) or Methotrexate? ...........................................................

d) In the last 6 months have you had a tattoo, ear or skin piercing, acupuncture or electrolysis? ..........................................

e) In the last 6 months have you had an injury from a needle or come in contact with someone else’s blood? .....................

6. a) In the last 12 months have you had a rabies shot or a graft? .............................................................................................

b) In the last 12 months have you had close contact with a person who has had hepatitis or yellow jaundice? ....................

c) In the last 12 months have you been in jail or prison? ........................................................................................................

7. a) In the last 12 months have you travelled outside Canada or the U.S. and stayed less than 6 months?.............................

b) In the last 3 and a half years have you spent more than 6 months in a continuous period outside Canada or the U.S.? ...

8. a) Since 1980, did you receive a blood transfusion or blood product in the United Kingdom, France or elsewhere in Europe?

b) Have you spent a total of 3 months or more in the United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales,

the Isle of Man, or the Channel Islands) from January 1, 1980 through December 31, 1996? ...........................................

c) Have you spent a total of 3 months or more in France from January 1, 1980 through December 31, 1996? .....................

d) Have you spent a total of 6 months or more in Saudi Arabia from January 1, 1980 through December 31, 1996? ...........

9. Have you ever had malaria? ..................................................................................................................................................

10. a) Have you ever taken Tegison or Soriatane for skin problems? ...........................................................................................

b) Have you ever taken human pituitary growth hormone or received a dura mater (brain covering) graft ?...........................

11. Have you ever had:

a) yellow jaundice (other than at birth) or hepatitis? ................................................................................................................

b) epilepsy, coma, stroke or fainting? ......................................................................................................................................

c) cancer, diabetes or Crohn’s disease? .................................................................................................................................

d) heart, kidney, lung or blood problems? ...............................................................................................................................

e) Chagas’ disease, babesiosis or leishmaniasis? ..................................................................................................................

12. Are you aware of a diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease among any of your blood relatives (parent, child, sibling)? ......

13. Have you, in your past or present job, taken care of or handled monkeys or their body fluids? ..............................................

14. a) Have you spent a total of 6 months or more in a continuous period in Mexico, Central America or South America? .........

b) Were you born in Mexico, Central America or South America? ..........................................................................................

c) Was your mother or grandmother born in Mexico, Central America or South America? .....................................................

15. Do you have AIDS or have you ever tested positive for HIV/AIDS? ......................................................................................

16. Have you used cocaine within the last 12 months? .................................................................................................................

17. Have you taken illegal steroids by needle in the last 12 months? ...........................................................................................

18. At any time since 1977, have you taken money or drugs for sex? ..........................................................................................

19. Male donors: Have you had sex with a man, even one time since 1977? ...............................................................................

21. Have you ever taken clotting factor concentrates for a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia? .............................................

22. Have you had sex with anyone who has AIDS or has tested positive for HIV or AIDS? .........................................................

23. Female donors: In the last 12 months, have you had sex with a man who had sex, even one time since 1977 with

another man? ...........................................................................................................................................................................

24. Have you had sex in the last 12 months with anyone who has ever taken illegal drugs or illegal steroids with a needle? ....

25. At any time in the last 12 months, have you paid money or drugs for sex? ............................................................................

26. At any time in the last 12 months, have you had sex with anyone who has taken money or drugs for sex? ..........................

27. Have you had sex in the last 6 months with anyone who has taken clotting factor concentrates? .........................................

28. In the last 12 months, have you had or been treated for syphilis or gonorrhea? ....................................................................

29. In the last 12 months, have you received blood or blood products by transfusion for any reason,

30. In the past 6 months, have you had sex with someone whose sexual background you don’t know? .....................................

31. a) Were you born in or have you lived in Africa since 1977?...................................................................................................

b) Since 1977, did you receive a blood transfusion or blood product in Africa?......................................................................

c) Have you had sexual contact with anyone who was born in or lived in Africa since 1977? ................................................



I could have a sex with a woman on the entry table to the clinic and as long as I knew her history, I would be allowed to give.



 

EagleSmack

Hall of Fame Member
Feb 16, 2005
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It's still biased as all Hell. At least Canada isn't like the US where they pay homeless people to donate.

Yes, more conservative. An all time ban on gay people. I have no idea how Canada got away with that!
 

karrie

OogedyBoogedy
Jan 6, 2007
27,780
285
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Yes, more conservative. An all time ban on gay people. I have no idea how Canada got away with that!

The same way the US does, and countless other countries around the world.

It's still biased as all Hell. At least Canada isn't like the US where they pay homeless people to donate.

Giving people a financial incentive to lie about their disease status.... scary stuff.
 

petros

The Central Scrutinizer
Nov 21, 2008
109,461
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Low Earth Orbit
Giving people a financial incentive to lie about their disease status.... scary stuff.

As starving student my wife and I would get $30ea for a pint in Seattle. We looked like the King And Queen amongst the dregs in the line.

$60 went a looooong way in those days.
 

Walter

Hall of Fame Member
Jan 28, 2007
34,844
93
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Yes, more conservative. An all time ban on gay people. I have no idea how Canada got away with that!
Tainted blood gave AIDS to scores of haemophiliacs and the donations were traced to homosexual men.
 

petros

The Central Scrutinizer
Nov 21, 2008
109,461
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Low Earth Orbit
Cool, they are still in biz. It's $40 now for repeats.

SeraCare Life Sciences

Donate Plasma, help advance medical science,
and earn additional income while you do it!

Medical researchers need your help in
finding a cure or treatment for your condition.
You can help by becoming a SeraCare blood
or plasma donor.

If you have been diagnosed with an infectious
disease, an autoimmune disease, severe
allergies, or cancer, your participation is critical.
Participation in our programs brings many
benefits including:

The knowledge that you are helping other
patients like you
Financial compensation
Referral bonuses for qualified referrals

With your help, we can make a difference!

We are FDA regulated, HIPAA compliant, and
use IRB approved protocols for protection of
your safety and privacy.

Tainted blood gave AIDS to scores of haemophiliacs and the donations were traced to homosexual men.
Rotten people who did it deliberately?
 
Last edited by a moderator:

karrie

OogedyBoogedy
Jan 6, 2007
27,780
285
83
bliss
Having had cancer I think I'm out of the running to be a typical donor, handy that I could donate to that one and make some cash!
 

petros

The Central Scrutinizer
Nov 21, 2008
109,461
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Low Earth Orbit
Having had cancer I think I'm out of the running to be a typical donor, handy that I could donate to that one and make some cash!
I can't donate anymore thanks to MRSA.

If you know you're going into surgery, you can extract, store and use your own blood through services available in almost every surgery center.

Did that hit home Mr. wallaby plooker?
 

karrie

OogedyBoogedy
Jan 6, 2007
27,780
285
83
bliss
Rotten people who did it deliberately?


Not only was it not deliberate on the part of gay men, it was due to poor oversight on the part of the blood bank. You can take gay men out of the donor pool, and if the blood bank isn't screening its blood properly, you're still going to get people catching hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, and a plethora of other infections and diseases.

Having gay men donating if they are in monogamous relationships and have been screened for illness, shouldn't be any riskier than having straight people in the program.
 

petros

The Central Scrutinizer
Nov 21, 2008
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Yes indeed it was the screening that failed. How many lives did those gay men who donated, clean or not still save? There are blood products that can made from HIV+ blood that won't spread HIV.