1. FDA relax tissue donation ban gay bisexual men
2. FDA reconsider tissue donation restrictions gay bisexual individuals.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : Sheryl J. Moore has been a vocal advocate for over a decade, pushing for updates to the regulations surrounding tissue donation by gay men. Her journey began in 2013 when she tragically lost her eldest son, Alexander “AJ” Betts Jr., to suicide. Despite Betts’ desire to donate his corneas, they were ultimately deemed ineligible for donation due to outdated FDA guidelines.
In recent years, the federal government has made strides in reducing restrictions on organ and blood donation for men who have had sex with other men. However, the regulations surrounding tissue donation, which encompasses a wide range of donations such as corneas, skin, and ligaments, have remained unchanged. Advocates and lawmakers are calling for the FDA to align the guidelines for tissue donation by gay and bisexual men with those for the rest of the population.
One of the leading voices in this fight is Sheryl J. Moore, who co-founded the “Legalize Gay Eyes” campaign with Dr. Michael Puente Jr., an ophthalmologist. They are urging the FDA to shorten the deferral period for tissue donation from five years to 90 days, allowing men who have had sex with other men to donate tissue as long as it was not within three months of their death.
Despite years of advocacy and pressure, the FDA has yet to act on these proposed changes. This delay has left many frustrated, including Rep. Joe Neguse, who has called for FDA policies to be based on individualized risk assessments rather than historic biases and prejudices.
Dr. Puente has highlighted the inconsistency in current donor guidelines, pointing out that a gay man can donate their heart for transplant but not just the heart valve. This disparity has been justified for decades as a means of preventing HIV transmission, but advancements in scientific knowledge have undermined this reasoning.
The FDA has stated that while the risk of HIV transmission through ophthalmic surgical procedures is remote, there are still relative risks to consider. The agency continues to review donor screening and testing protocols based on evolving scientific knowledge.
In a significant development, the FDA eliminated the “blood ban” in 2015, which prevented gay and bisexual men from donating blood. This policy was replaced in 2023 with a more inclusive approach that treats all prospective donors equally. However, the guidelines for tissue donation, especially corneas, remain outdated and discriminatory towards gay men.
Dr. Puente has highlighted the impracticality of requiring gay men to be celibate for five years before donating their corneas. This requirement not only perpetuates outdated stigmas but also hinders the potential for life-saving donations.
Moore’s personal experience with her son’s donation journey serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of updating these regulations. Despite Betts’ organs saving or prolonging the lives of seven individuals, his corneas were rejected solely based on his sexuality, leaving Moore feeling that her son was being bullied even in death.
As the push for updated guidelines continues, advocates like Moore and Dr. Puente are determined to ensure that all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, have equal opportunities to donate tissue and potentially save lives..
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