The Facts
On Friday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced draft guidelines to implement individual risk assessments that would ease restrictions on blood donations by "men who have sex with men (MSM) and women who have sex with MSM."
Under the proposed federal guidelines, the current three-month abstinence period for gay and bisexual men in monogamous relationships would be eliminated.
The Spin
Narrative A
This common-sense proposal is a a boon for gay rights as it will end discriminatory and unnecessary blood donation restrictions. With today's technology able to test blood for infectious diseases, it's high time the US joins other nations — such as Canada and the UK — in making the process fairer for everyone, thereby encouraging more blood donations.
Narrative B
It's short-sighted to mistake precaution for discrimination. The reality is that HIV infection disproportionately affects MSM, and without the tools of today, the FDA rightly chose to execute due diligence. As medicine and technology progress, it's natural — and encouraged — that regulations such as these follow suit; however, the FDA must be mindful to keep prioritizing the safety of the blood system.