Donor Selection Question

rbjeanrbjean Posts: 2
in Ask California Cryobank
Just wondering whether California Cryobank inquires as to a donor's sexual preference in the screening process. Thanks!

Comments

  • cryo-admincryo-admin Posts: 4,538
    Hi rbjean -

    We do not ask sexual preference. However, we are required by the FDA and AATB to eliminate any applicant who has had sex with another male in the last five years.

    Please keep in mind that we test all applicants for the transmittable diseases this regualtion is meant to protect against.

    We also eliminate strictly heterosexual applicants who are overly promiscuous.

    Regards,

    Scott
    CCB
  • ArkmomArkmom Posts: 92
    This effectively excludes all sexually active gay men, at lease, all honest sexually active gay men. Does anyone else find this rule officious and unjust? Is anything being done to seek reform of this rule? I can't help thinking that if the true purpose of the rule were to combat the speard of disease, the question would be more like "have you had unprotected sex with more than one partner in the last year?"
  • cryo-admincryo-admin Posts: 4,538
    Hi Arkmom -

    It is an outdated restriction that remains on the books despite the illogic nature of the rule.

    For the record, the Red Cross and other entities accepting donated human tissue operate under the same restrictions.

    My advice would be to contact your Congressman or Senator with your complaint. The Public's involvement is the best way to bring about change with this type of issue.

    Regards,

    Scott
    CCB
  • ArkmomArkmom Posts: 92
    Scott,

    I understand that CCB did not make this rule. However I fail to understand how the fact thet the Red Cross participates in this means anything to this conversation. A blood donor does not determine one half of my sons genetics. I can and do take political action, including calling my Congressman about politcal issues, including GLBTQ issues. What I was trying to ask was, do you know of any organized efforts to change this rule that I can become involved in. I don't want to reinvent the wheel and step on toes in the process.
  • cryo-admincryo-admin Posts: 4,538
    I do not know of any specific groups addressing this issue.

    In case it is of interest to you, if you use a known "Directed Donor" the same rules do not apply. The donor will go through all the same testing (at your cost) and quarantine, but will not have to answer the same battery of personal questions an anonymous donor must complete.

    Regards,

    Scott
    CCB
  • glasshouseglasshouse Posts: 1
    Sounds like people want to force the issue for their own agenda. If I could choose the ethnicity of the donor I should also be able to choose the donor's sexual preference.
  • cryo-admincryo-admin Posts: 4,538
    Hi All -

    While on the surface this may reek of descrimination, the regulation is not necessarily targeted at the LGBT community (although the point is clearly debatable).

    Technically speaking, the goal of these restrictions is to eliminate individuals participating in "high-risk" sexual activity who are more likely to carry or contract an infection that could be passed on to a recipiant. Overly permiscuous heterosexual men are also eliminated from consideration to become donors for the same reason.

    Scott
    CCB
  • briestylezbriestylez Posts: 13
    sexual orientation is not passed from parents to a child. Seriously. This is a ridiculous issue. It is NOT the same as choosing the ethnicity of a child. Ignorant. Not okay. Please stop this kind of talk. It is NOT okay to have to have the donor say what sexual orientation he is... he gets tested the same for disease and if he passes it is not our business to know his sexual preference. Just the same as I cannot ask if a donor is straight. Ridiculous. Actually, laughable.
  • thegreythegrey Posts: 1
    We are planning on using a directed donor and I would like to know if he would be asked by CCB if he has "had sex with another male in the last five years" as part of the screening process for directed donors. I'd also appreciate any info about other questions that might require him to indicate his sexual orientation. This would be helpful to know since Scott mentions above that directed donors don't have to answer the same battery of personal questions as anonymous donors. Can anyone shed some light on this? Thanks!
  • cryo-admincryo-admin Posts: 4,538
    Hi Thegrey -

    I would suggest giving our Directed Donor staff a call at 866-477-3762 and they will be happy to answer your questions and walk you through the process.

    Also, here's a link that briefly outlines the different steps of the process:

    http://cryobank.com/Services/Directed-Donor/

    Regards,

    Nicole
    CCB
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