|
On Thursday, we reported the breaking news of a huge shift in U.K. blood donor policy that now allows gay men, previously banned for life, to donate blood if they haven't had sex in the past 12 months. Today we hear that Canada may follow suit...
Following Thursday's news, Dr. Dana Devine, vice-president of the Canadian Blood Service's medical and scientific affairs, said, "Certainly we already have a process underway where we're looking to see about changing from a permanent to a time-based deferral. It's a step-wise thing and we have lots of consultation to do," Devine said. "(But) I do think that it will happen in Canada."
Montreal Gazette has this to add:
The U.K. lifting its lifetime ban will help engender trust in the health system and end discrimination, said Dr. Norbert Gilmore, director of chronic viral disease clinics at the McGill University Health Centre.
"I think people have to get their heads around a lot of issues. We just have to make sure that everyone is on side," said Gilmore, who called the lifetime ban "antiquated" in the Canadian Medical Association Journal last year. "I think it's just going to be a matter of time."
Here in the U.S., Senator John Kerry is leading an effort to end the gay blood ban.
(Image source: Canada.com)
 |
