US moves to end nation's lifetime ban on blood donations by gay and bisexual men

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WASHINGTON — Federal health officials are recommending an end to the nation's lifetime ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men, a 31-year-old policy that many medical groups and gay activists say is no longer justified.

See also: U.S. Doctor Who Survived Ebola Donates Blood to Journalist With the Virus

The Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday it favors replacing the blanket ban with a new policy barring donations from men who have had man-on-man sex in the previous 12 months. The new policy would put the U.S. in line with other countries including Australia, Japan and the U.K.

Activists, however, questioned whether requiring a year of celibacy from gay men before a donation amounted to a significant policy shift. Read more...

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from MashableThe Associated Press