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Review
. 2014 Jan:18:1-3.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2013.09.016. Epub 2013 Oct 30.

Three decades of MSM donor deferral policies. What have we learned?

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Free article
Review

Three decades of MSM donor deferral policies. What have we learned?

Kumanan Wilson et al. Int J Infect Dis. 2014 Jan.
Free article

Abstract

In the early 1980s, donor deferrals targeting men who have sex with men (MSM) and other high-risk groups were implemented in response to the outbreak of HIV/AIDS. It has now been three decades since the implementation of these deferrals. We review the international experience with developing these policies, which involves combining scientific evidence with ethical and moral concerns and the challenge of moving from precautionary to risk management policies as scientific knowledge and technology evolves. We provide key lessons that can guide blood policymakers as they confront potential new threats to the safety of the blood system and also provide lessons to the wider public health community on how best to incorporate precaution into the policymaking process.

Keywords: Blood donors; Blood transfusion; HIV; Men who have sex with men; Precautionary principle; Prevention of transfusion-transmitted infections.

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