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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Gay blood donor appeal rejected | Gay blood donor appeal rejected |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| The blood transfusion service has rejected calls from gay men's groups to lift the ban on them donating blood. | The blood transfusion service has rejected calls from gay men's groups to lift the ban on them donating blood. |
| It has told the Scottish Parliament petitions committee HIV is rising in gay men and donor selection is the only way to keep blood products safe. | It has told the Scottish Parliament petitions committee HIV is rising in gay men and donor selection is the only way to keep blood products safe. |
| The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service said it was not discriminating just recognising behavioural risks. | The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service said it was not discriminating just recognising behavioural risks. |
| But campaigners said heterosexuals posed just as much a risk if their behaviour was unsafe. | But campaigners said heterosexuals posed just as much a risk if their behaviour was unsafe. |
| The petition was submitted to the parliament by Rob McDowall, supported by a number of gay and lesbian groups. | The petition was submitted to the parliament by Rob McDowall, supported by a number of gay and lesbian groups. |
| It argues that France, Italy and Spain have all lifted a blanket ban on gay men giving blood. | It argues that France, Italy and Spain have all lifted a blanket ban on gay men giving blood. |
| The Blood Transfusion Service's UK-wide policy currently prohibits men who have had sex with another man from being a blood donor. | |
| The service said 86% of all new HIV infections occurring last year in Scotland were in gay men. | |
| Although all blood donations are tested, some early stage infections are not always picked up. | Although all blood donations are tested, some early stage infections are not always picked up. |
| The transfusion service also said the figures showed that some gay men were continuing to give blood despite being asked not to do so. | The transfusion service also said the figures showed that some gay men were continuing to give blood despite being asked not to do so. |