Gay and not eligible to donate

In 2013 16-year old American Alexander Betts committed suicide after being bullied for being gay, but before his death he requested his organs be donated. Although some of Betts’ organs like his heart, lungs and kidneys, were given to those in need, his mother later discovered his eyes were discarded because of his sexual orientation. The US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) guidelines state that tissue from gay men carries a higher risk of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV and AIDS. These are the same limitations that prevent gay men from donating blood. The FDA says it’s necessary to protect recipients, but critics believe it’s discrimination. We’ll discuss at 1930GMT.

In this episode, we speak to: 

Mark Skinner @wfhemophilia
Former president, World Federation of Hemophilia, USA
wfh.org

Sam Gavzy @DSTMR1
Son of transplant recipient

Dr. Barry Zingman
Professor, Einstein College of Medicine

Dr. Daniel Kaul @UNOSNews
Professor of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan
unos.org

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.