November 12, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Gay Rights Organizations Push For FDA Policy Change:

A Southland-based group launched a statewide campaign on Tuesday urging federal officials to end a lifetime ban on blood donations from men who had sex with other men.

The Food and Drug Administration established the ban in 1983, just a year after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention first issued a definition of AIDS. It prohibits blood donations by any man who has had sex with another man since 1977.

“The FDA blood ban is discrimination, pure and simple,” said Rick Zbur, executive director of West Hollywood-based Equality California. “FDA blood donor eligibility policies should be based on modern scientific research and findings rather than archaic assumptions and fears.”

Organizers say the ability to test for HIV has improved dramatically in the 31 years since the policy was adopted during a time of intense fear about transmission of the virus. The FDA says testing is highly accurate, but not 100 percent reliable.

The agency views its primary responsibility as ensuring patient safety.

Its policy is based  on “the documented increased risk of certain transfusion transmissible infections, such as HIV, associated with male-to-male sex,” according to the FDA website, and “is not based on any judgment concerning the donor’s sexual orientation.”

Zbur said ending the ban was a priority for Equality California, a statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization. The group’s campaign, dubbed “Every Drop Counts,” urges supporters to write to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell and FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg.

The American Red Cross and the American Medical Association have also called for a reevaluation of the FDA policy. The Williams Institute, a think tank based at the UCLA School of Law, estimates that an additional 130,150 men would likely donate 219,200 pints of blood annually if the ban were lifted.

Critics say that the push to change policy is rooted in politics rather than a shortage of donated blood.

In a 2013 policy advisory, the Family Research Council accused “liberal activists” of thinking “that Americans should ignore the science and risk exposing people to disease just to make a political point.”

An advisory group from the Department of Health and Human Services last reviewed the policy in 2010 and concluded it was “suboptimal,” but chose to keep it in place pending additional research.

The FDA’s Blood Products Advisory Committee is meeting this year to examine the issue. To date, it says it has been unable to develop donor screening questions about safe sex practices that will reliably identify a subset of men who have had sex with men who are not at higher risk of HIV infection than the general population.

Others banned from donating blood include intravenous drug users, recipients of animal organ transplants, those who have recently traveled to or lived in certain countries with a high incidence of malaria and those who have engaged in sex for money or drugs.

in News
<>Related Posts

LASD Searches For Missing Man Last Seen in Marina del Rey

November 11, 2024

November 11, 2024

According to Family Members, There Are Concerns He May Be Planning to Leave the Country The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s...

Q&A: New Roads School Voted Santa Monica’s Best Private School

November 10, 2024

November 10, 2024

For the last 29 years, New Roads School, founded by visionary educators Paul Cummins and David Bryan, has delivered progressive...

Racist Text Messages Target Students in Santa Monica, West LA, Raising Alarm Among Schools, Families

November 10, 2024

November 10, 2024

Outrage Spreads as Disturbing, Racially Charged Messages Reach Students and Others By Dolores Quintana Schools on the Westside of Los...

Urth Caffé Heirloom Organic Coffee Wins Best of Santa Monica

November 8, 2024

November 8, 2024

By Susan Payne A health-conscious coffee shop in Santa Monica is stealing hearts. More than its Matcha teas, Spanish lattes...

Governor Newsom Convenes Special Session to Protect California Rights Against Future Federal Policies

November 8, 2024

November 8, 2024

Special Session Called To Defend Civil Rights, Reproductive Freedom, Climate Initiatives Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a special session of...

Chinese Chemical Company and Executives Indicted for Allegedly Fueling Fentanyl Crisis in Los Angeles

November 8, 2024

November 8, 2024

U.S. DOJ Charges Hubei Aoks Bio-Tech and Executives With 13 Counts  A federal grand jury has indicted Hubei Aoks Bio-Tech...

Renewable Energy Group to Host Scenic Hike in Palisades

November 8, 2024

November 8, 2024

The Route Is Based on a Walk Described as “The Most Scenic of All the City’s Stairwalks.” WRISE Los Angeles,...

“Caterpillar Soup” Returns to Santa Monica Playhouse for 20th Anniversary Performances

November 7, 2024

November 7, 2024

Written and Performed by Lyena Strelkoff, the Autobiographical Production Explores Her Journey After a Paralyzing Fall The critically acclaimed one-woman...

Megacity Review: Genaro Trejo’s Global Platform for Urban Arts and Literature Launches in Los Angeles’ Westside

November 7, 2024

November 7, 2024

Santa Monica, CA – A new voice has arrived on the Los Angeles literary scene with the launch of Megacity...

Film Review: Here

November 7, 2024

November 7, 2024

FILM REVIEWHERERated PG-13104 MinutesReleased November 1st  Here was directed by Robert Zemeckis and stars Tom Hanks and Robin Wright. This...

Thanksgiving 2024: The Best Places to Order Your Holiday Pies in Los Angeles

November 7, 2024

November 7, 2024

Get Ready for Your Thanksgiving Dinner With the Best Desserts November is the official start of the holiday season and...

The Whaler Celebrates 80 Years as Venice Landmark

November 7, 2024

November 7, 2024

Throughout November, the Whaler Will Feature Drink and Food Specials, Live Music, and Weekend Events The Whaler, a Venice Beach...

November 6 Updates: Malibu Holds Fire at 50 Acres as Schools Close, PCH Reopens

November 6, 2024

November 6, 2024

Crews Contain Brush Fire, Closures In Effect, Power Outages in Malibu The city of Malibu’s website has issued an update...

Architectural Review Board Considers Eight-Story Mixed-Use Project on Wilshire

November 6, 2024

November 6, 2024

The Development Will Include Studio, One-, and Two-Bedroom Units, 13 of Which Will Be Reserved as Affordable Housing A proposed...