The debate: Men who have sex with men (MSM) donating blood

The debate: Men who have sex with men (MSM) donating blood

The ban on MSM from donating blood is currently enforced in many countries, such as the UK and the United States. The United States' ban was enacted in 1983 before testing of donor blood for HIV began, as more MSM were infected with HIV than other donor groups.

The United States policy bans any man who has had sex with a man since 1977 (which includes single encounters) from donating for life. However, the policy for heterosexuals is markedly different. For example, a heterosexual is deferred for only 12 months if they have sex with a man who has sex with men (if you are female), an injecting drug user, or a sex worker.²⁴

"the ban is outdated and unscientific"

Banning MSM from giving blood has been a controversial issue for some time. Many argue that the ban is outdated and unscientific as many MSM are in long term relationships and practice safe sex but are banned for life, whereas heterosexuals who engage in risky behaviour are only banned for a year.^{25 26 27 28 29} Organisations such as the American Red Cross support a deferral rather than a lifetime ban for MSM.³⁰ It is believed that a donor should be evaluated on the risk they pose by the behaviour they engage in, rather than the group they fall into.³¹ On these grounds it is argued that eligibility questions should be reviewed. The availability of nucleic acid tests (NAT), which reduces the window period and makes testing much more accurate, helped to support the argument for a change in the ban against MSM donating. These tests have been found to almost eliminate the possibility that HIV infected blood will pass through the testing stage, even in countries with high prevalence.³²

In support of upholding the current policy, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identify that in the US, HIV prevalence in those MSM who are likely to donate is 15 times higher than the general population.^{33 34} FDA modelling illustrates the increase in risk by introducing a deferral period for MSM, like those used for individuals such as sex workers. A 12 month deferral will result in 1,600 more HIV infected units being donated, detection of which will rely on screening.³⁵

Following a review in June 2010 the Advisory committee on Blood Safety and Availability decided to uphold the ban against MSM donating. They claimed that further scientific research was needed on this topic