Freethought & Rationalism Archive

TomboyMom · 04-20-2007, 08:29 AM

I used to give blood regularly, and would like to again on the Atheist Blood Driveto celebrate the National Day of Prayer. My personal moral approach focuses on two main aspects: kindness and honesty. So I like to do kind things, like donate blood, and I like to be honest. A few years ago they stopped taking my blood because (I kid you not) from 1986-92 I was in a relationship with another woman who lived in Nigeria in 1981. Never mind that there has never been a documented case of female to female transmission of HIV, never mind that she and I are in the lowest risk group, and are both HIV negative. So, to donate blood, I would have to lie and check NO for that question. How should I resolve my moral dilemma?

laughing dog · 04-20-2007, 08:52 AM

Tell the truth. They don't want to run the slightest risk of getting tainted blood, so don't disappoint them.

raph · 04-20-2007, 08:53 AM

In my opinion, that depends on a couple of things. First, how is the question worded? What are they asking specifically? And are you sure that HIV is the only reason for the question? I've found that there are some questions that are so vaguely worded, or so obviously prejudicial, that you can use semantics to truthfully answer "no".

Even if the question is worded so specifically that there's no wiggle room, remind yourself that there's no way for anyone to be completely truthful all of the time. People tell "little white lies" when they do more good than harm. I believe they do standard screening tests on donated blood, and it sounds like you have kept up with your medical care, so I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.

TomboyMom · 04-20-2007, 08:58 AM

Alright, I just called the Bonfils blood center. It seems that FDA is about to send out a new rule that you're only ruled out if the person you had sex with lived in West Africa for more than 5 years, and that should go into effect in a couple weeks, so I will be able to give blood again, but not on the Atheist blood drive day.

Also I asked if there's anyone I can call to get a papal dispensation, and she said no one in the world has that power. (That was my practical gf's idea.) On the plus side, gf sez she will donate that day (May 3), so I'm still helping.
Yeah, it is about HIV, and it's real specific. That I had sex with someone who lived in a list of specified countries after 1977 blah blah. God, so annoying.

laughing dog · 04-20-2007, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomboyMom

Yeah, it is about HIV, and it's real specific. That I had sex with someone who lived in a list of specified countries after 1977 blah blah. God, so annoying.

Maybe you should just give up sex so that you can donate blood with the hassle.

Craig · 04-22-2007, 09:10 PM

Do they differentiate between types of sex, or are they just asking if "you" (the person filling out the form) have had sex with someone from those countries?

I've seen some that are specific (forms are gender specific, and asks the men if they've ever had sex with another man).

Even though it disqualifies you, I think honesty is the best route here.

04-20-2007, 08:29 AM	#1
TomboyMom Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,931	real moral dilemma I used to give blood regularly, and would like to again on the Atheist Blood Driveto celebrate the National Day of Prayer. My personal moral approach focuses on two main aspects: kindness and honesty. So I like to do kind things, like donate blood, and I like to be honest. A few years ago they stopped taking my blood because (I kid you not) from 1986-92 I was in a relationship with another woman who lived in Nigeria in 1981. Never mind that there has never been a documented case of female to female transmission of HIV, never mind that she and I are in the lowest risk group, and are both HIV negative. So, to donate blood, I would have to lie and check NO for that question. How should I resolve my moral dilemma?

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04-20-2007, 08:52 AM	#2
laughing dog Contributor Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Winona, Mn Posts: 41,943	Tell the truth. They don't want to run the slightest risk of getting tainted blood, so don't disappoint them.

04-20-2007, 08:53 AM	#3
raph Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 133	In my opinion, that depends on a couple of things. First, how is the question worded? What are they asking specifically? And are you sure that HIV is the only reason for the question? I've found that there are some questions that are so vaguely worded, or so obviously prejudicial, that you can use semantics to truthfully answer "no". Even if the question is worded so specifically that there's no wiggle room, remind yourself that there's no way for anyone to be completely truthful all of the time. People tell "little white lies" when they do more good than harm. I believe they do standard screening tests on donated blood, and it sounds like you have kept up with your medical care, so I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.

04-20-2007, 08:58 AM	#4
TomboyMom Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,931	Alright, I just called the Bonfils blood center. It seems that FDA is about to send out a new rule that you're only ruled out if the person you had sex with lived in West Africa for more than 5 years, and that should go into effect in a couple weeks, so I will be able to give blood again, but not on the Atheist blood drive day. Also I asked if there's anyone I can call to get a papal dispensation, and she said no one in the world has that power. (That was my practical gf's idea.) On the plus side, gf sez she will donate that day (May 3), so I'm still helping. Yeah, it is about HIV, and it's real specific. That I had sex with someone who lived in a list of specified countries after 1977 blah blah. God, so annoying.

04-22-2007, 09:10 PM	#6
Craig Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,058	Do they differentiate between types of sex, or are they just asking if "you" (the person filling out the form) have had sex with someone from those countries? I've seen some that are specific (forms are gender specific, and asks the men if they've ever had sex with another man). Even though it disqualifies you, I think honesty is the best route here.

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