FDA officials refuse to lift US ban on gay men giving blood

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have refused to lift the US ban on gay men donating blood.

The law, which was introduced in 1983 at the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis and prohibits all gay men from donating blood for life, has been widely criticised by groups including the Red Cross and The American Medical Association in recent years.

Last month (November), an advisory committee recommended to the FDA that the 31-year ban be lowered to a 12-month restriction that would mirror the UK’s current law on gay blood donation.

After failing to come to an agreement during a meeting this month (December), the FDA has told Buzzfeed that there are no further plans to consider lifting the ban.

“Unless there is a need for further discussion where we would need to convene another meeting, the BPAC has fulfilled its role in providing advice to the FDA on this topic, explained a spokesperson for the FDA. “The FDA does not plan to hold another BPAC meeting to discuss this issue.”

Meanwhile, a recent study found that lifting the ban on gay blood donation in the US could save over 1.8 million lives a year. Find out more here.

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