Gay Blood Ban Retained in Finland

Finland's government announced Monday that the Finnish Red Cross policy of barring men who have sex with men from donating blood is lawful.

"These statements contain appropriately reasoned epidemiological information to the effect that sex between men clearly increases the risk of contracting serious blood-transmitted diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis B and C, and thereby increases the safety risk in blood transfusion," said Riitta-Leena Paunio, the country’s parliamentary ombudsman, according to Finnish News Agency STT.

Currently, a man who has ever had oral or anal sex with another man, even with a condom, is barred for life from donating blood because he is deemed to be at high risk of passing on sexually transmitted diseases. (The Advocate)

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Name: James
Date posted: 7/1/2008 6:11:00 PM
Hometown: Ohio

Comment:
Wow, this is really terrible. So, a gay man who uses condoms and is responsible, *or* who is in a long-term, monogamous relationship is barred from donating blood. But, the straight guy that engages in indiscriminate casual sex with multiple partners is free to donate. And I don't mean that last statement as a moral judgement, I'm just pointing out the double standard of this ruling. If the blood is screened/tested then why does anyone's sexual history need to be in question?
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Name: rose nabalayo
Date posted: 7/1/2008 2:44:00 AM
Hometown: Nairobi

Comment:
There are many more straight people than gay, so let them donate the blood...that gay blood is high risk even between men who use condoms?? Just one question, isn't all the blood donated normally screened for any diseases?or are there some hidden viruses that cannot be detected in blood from gay men?? Very funny...for the good of the Country

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