Sheryl J. Moore : FDA urged to relax tissue donation restrictions for gay and bisexual men • Daily Montanan

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. “FDA tissue donation restrictions gay men”
2. “FDA policy change bisexual men tissue donation”

The federal government made changes in 2020 and 2023 to allow men who have had sex with another man to donate organs and blood more easily. However, restrictions on donated tissue, including corneas, remain in place. Advocates, led by Sheryl J. Moore, are calling for the FDA to align guidelines for tissue donation by gay and bisexual men with those for the rest of the population. The current policies, set 30 years ago to prevent HIV transmission, are now considered unnecessary and discriminatory. Lawmakers and health groups are urging the FDA to update its guidelines based on scientific advancements and individual risk assessments.

Heartbreaking Incident Involving Organ Donation Restrictions

In a heart-wrenching case that highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community, a mother named Sheryl J. Moore has been advocating for changes to organ donation policies since the tragic death of her son in 2013. Moore’s son, Alexander “AJ” Betts Jr., was a 16-year-old boy whose internal organs were successfully donated to seven individuals after his passing. However, his eyes were rejected as donor tissue due to outdated regulations surrounding gay and bisexual men donating organs.

Advocacy Efforts for Change

Following her son’s death, Moore, along with Colorado doctor Michael Puente Jr., launched a campaign called “Legalize Gay Eyes” to bring attention to the discriminatory policies that hinder organ donation from gay and bisexual men. The current guidelines stipulate a five-year abstinence period for men who have had sex with another man, preventing them from donating tissue such as corneas.

Call for Policy Reform

Advocates, lawmakers, and medical professionals have been urging the FDA to revise these regulations and align them with more current scientific knowledge. The existing policies, implemented 30 years ago to prevent HIV transmission, are now considered unnecessary and discriminatory. The focus should shift towards individualized risk assessments rather than blanket restrictions based on sexual orientation.

Stalled Progress and Frustration

Despite being on the FDA’s agenda for potential changes, the guidelines for tissue donation from gay and bisexual men remain unchanged. This lack of action has left advocates like Moore and Dr. Puente feeling frustrated and disappointed. The outdated regulations not only perpetuate stigma but also deny life-saving opportunities to those in need of organ transplants.

Scientific Advancements and Risk Assessment

Recent studies have shown that advancements in testing technology have significantly reduced the risk of HIV transmission through organ and tissue donation. Nucleic acid tests are now able to detect the virus with high accuracy, making the stringent abstinence requirements obsolete. The FDA’s reluctance to update its policies is seen as a barrier to progress in the field of organ transplantation.

A Mother’s Pain and Resilience

Moore’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the impact of outdated regulations on real lives. The rejection of her son’s corneas due to his sexual orientation has left her feeling like his legacy was tarnished. Despite the setbacks, Moore continues to fight for policy reform and greater inclusivity in organ donation guidelines.

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