IS THE MSM BLOOD DONATION DEFERRAL ETHICAL?

The deferral of men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) from donating blood has been a controversial policy since its advent during the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. In my thesis I address this deferral, and evaluate whether or not it is ethical. I begin by introducing the characteristics of HIV, the behaviors associated with HIV transmission, and its association with MSM. After, I review the changes in the policy and examine the evidence used to support these changes. Next, I present my arguments that justify the MSM blood donation deferral, while also arguing that the current one-year deferral period in the United States is unethical. My arguments apply ethical principles such as: principles of utilitarianism, harm, precaution, and discrimination. I conclude with a discussion of alternatives to the deferral, and considerations for my suggestion of a new three-month deferral period in the U.S.