FDA To Consider End To Gay Blood Ban

The FDA is beginning the review process to lift the ban on donations from gay men. Chris Johnson at the Washington Blade reports:

A notice published Thursday states the Department of Health & Human Services has scheduled a meeting next month of the Advisory Committee on Blood Safety & Availability to discuss the issue. The committee is charged with providing recommendations to HHS on blood supply and blood products. The meeting, which is open to the public, is set to take place at the Universities of Shady Grove in Rockville, Md. Discussion is scheduled over the course of two days — from June 10 to June 11. The meetings on both days are set for 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.

The push to lift the ban gained momentum in March when Sen. John Kerry and 17 other Senators wrote a letter to the FDA denouncing the ban as scientifically unsound. You can expect that anti-gay groups will crowd the above-mentioned public meeting.