San Jose State Bans Blood Drives

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The FDA's policies are beyond outdated. The original reason for this restriction was to make sure that donated blood was not tainted by HIV or AIDS. Yes, 48 percent of AIDS cases were contracted from Male-Male sexual contact, but all blood banks now test for HIV/AIDS in their blood. That being the case, what is the FDA's reason for keeping this restriction? It boils down to basic discrimination. This is not a case of being overly PC, this was an attempt to force the FDA to get rid of an outmoded restriction. As quoted in this article, Kassing "hope[s]... that the FDA will revisit its deferral policy in a timely manner...". He obviously dislikes his policy as much as his critics, but he cannot allow discrimination on his campus. The only ideology that has lead to flawed public policy is the FDA's policy to keep outmoded restrictions. When the FDA sees its policy for what it is and decides to change it, only then can we break the chains of hate and discrimination.
- Russ T. Cobb (if that is your real name)- "the 'el presidente'"? a little redundant don't you think?
- Jason B- it really IS a ban on gay men. They ask SPECIFICALLY if you have ever had sex with another man
- and for those ignorant people who continue to suggest that gay blood would be bad for a straight person (like the president): gay is not a contagious disease and you have no chance of receiving HIV/AIDS from their blood because ALL blood banks test blood for those diseases.

Garret of TX 6:02PM July 28, 2009

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Bvqhvpcc of IN 5:30AM July 14, 2009

SJS President is infected with irrationality. He is severelly misguided in his PC philosophy This has nothing to do with discrimination and everything to do with rationality and the greater public health.
If political correctness and soothing consciences is more important that rationality and doing what is safest and best for the public heath, than we are in trouble. Shame on SJS University President-- he caved into PC and people will suffer for his moral cowardice. How crazy is the world in which political correctness is the one and only gospel. In the world of PC, truth is sacrificed in order to not offend anyone. PC is a dangerous ideology that will only lead to flawed public policy.

Paul of CA 1:25PM April 14, 2008

I give credit to President Don Kassing for his stance on this issue--I view it as a civili rights protest. Also, Jason B, from MN--is wrong and needs to re-visit FDA policies and realize the level of discrimination that exists in America/the world. It's funny to look at the close-minded states that the negative comments derive from--become politically correct (meaning compassionate) or stay in your box.

Leif. C of CA 10:41PM February 17, 2008

FDA Policies don't ban gay men. They ban people who have had anal intercourse. Why? because of the high incidence of STD's associated with this behavior. Wake up people. This PC BS is going to kill us all.

Jason B of MN 1:24PM February 09, 2008

Maybe the president should ask specifically for blood from a gay person if he or his family is ever in need of blood.

of TX 10:48AM February 06, 2008

Here's a thought...... Let the "el presidente" be the first recepient of the gay donor blood... and set the rest aside for the other gays who will be in need of blood at some point! Can't you just imagine the protests over such a common sense policy!!

Russ T. Cobb of TN 10:13PM February 05, 2008

I say good for him...
There are plenty of other places for people to donate blood, and maybe this will start to take discrimination out of state and federal policies.

Rachel of MN 8:46PM February 05, 2008