POLICY The Minister of Health is awaiting the recommendations of experts on a new definition of risk behaviours before changing the questionnaire given to blood donors …
The Health Minister Marisol Touraine said earlier today, Sunday that a questionnaire given to blood donors would soon be changed to allow homosexuals to donate blood while ensuring the safety of recipients.
“This is to set the blood donation criteria. No one should be banned simply because he is gay and at the same time, we must ensure the absolute safety of those who receive blood, “she said on France 3.
“U Turn in a matter of weeks or months “
She was asked about the exclusion of homosexuals from donating blood after a unanimous vote of an amendment by MEPs earlier this month calling for an end the ban. It entered into force in 1983, due to an increased risk of infection with the AIDS virus.
Asked about the date of implementation of the measure, Marisol Touraine said she was waiting for the recommendations of experts on a new definition of risk behaviors (multiple partners, for example) before changing the questionnaire given to blood donors. “It will go fast, it’s a matter of weeks or months,” she added, while stressing the safety of recipients for whom “no risk can not be taken.”
Requested by the Minister to advise the National Consultative Ethics Committee (CCNE) estimated on March 31 that the permanent exclusion of gay blood donation should be maintained for the time being, pending a collective thinking and new research.
