Gay Blood Poses Low Risk to Blood Supply

It was reported earlier on GayAgenda.com that Michael Cain, 25, of Launceston in Tasmania, was refused the opportunity to donate blood in 2004 because he indicated in a donor questionnaire that he was in a sexual relationship with another man, and considered the refusal to be discrimination.

Now, it has stated in a recent hearing the risk of Tasmania’s blood supply being infected by HIV would be extremely low if gay men who practice safe sex were allowed to donate blood.

The risk calculations, have been determined by the lawyer representing Michael Cain, the gay man who has accused the Red Cross of discrimination because they refused his blood.

Mr. Cain’s viewpoint is the Red Cross should screen donors based on safe sexual practices, not sexual orientation.

William Leiss, a Canadian risk analysis expert told the Anti-Discrimination Tribunal such a change would increase the risk of infection, but Pete Tree, Mr. Cain’s lawyer, countered by saying statistics showed if gay men who have safe sex were allowed to donate blood, the risk of Tasmania’s blood supply being infected by HIV would be once every 5,769 years.

Dr. Leiss admitted Cain’s lawyer could be correct, however such a screening system had not been researched.