FDA Lifts Ban on Blood Donations from Gay Men

Federal health officials are lifting the nation’s 32-year-old lifetime ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men. 

The Food and Drug Administration says, however, that major restrictions will still be in place on who can donate. 

Medical groups and gay activists have long said the ban could no longer be justified, based on modern testing methods. 

The FDA said Monday that the change is “backed by sound science and continues to protect our blood supply.”

The lifetime ban was put in place during the early AIDS crisis. 

Officials are replacing the ban with a policy that prevents donations from men who have had sex with another man in the previous year. 

The policy has been criticized by activities, but the FDA ruling is in place with that of other countries including Australia and the U.K.