The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to issue guidelines for blood banks soon. While not required to do so, the FDA usually follows recommendations from its advisory committees. Most likely change is a reversal of the previous ban on gay men from donating blood. The testing of blood has become far more precise and is adequate to ensure that donated blood is safe. The ban on gay men from donating blood began in the 1980's at the outset of of the AIDS epidemic when the connection between gay sex and HIV was demonstrated. Blood donation works on the honor system in which donors answer a questionnaire about their health. The final question is a secret yeso if the blood is safe. Tests are used to detect infectious agents and verify the honesty of the donors.
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