Posted on 09/08/2001 8:49:10 AM PDT by classygreeneyedblonde
WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon is barring thousands of military members and their families from donating blood, starting next week, as a new precaution against mad cow disease
The Pentagon said Friday the restriction is in line with guidance from the Food and Drug Administration. It will disqualify an estimated 18 percent of the active-duty force, or about 250,000 people.
Dr. J. Jarrett Clinton, the acting assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, said that starting Sept. 14, several new categories of people will be barred from donating blood. They are
Anyone who has traveled or lived in Britain from 1980 through 1996 for a cumulative period of three months or more.
People who have been stationed in Europe from 1980 through 1996 for a cumulative period of six months or more.
Others who have traveled or lived in Europe from 1980 to present for a cumulative period of five years.
Anyone who has received a transfusion in Britain since 1980.
Anyone who has received bovine insulin produced in Britain since 1980.
Clinton said these were precautionary measures against "the very small theoretical risk" of the human form of mad cow disease.
Pentagon: http://www.defenselink.mil
DOD is simply passing on the new CDC requirements.
Love your screen name.
Sincerely,
Beatupoldwarvetnetworknewsreporterblueeyeddirtyblonde
There is one ironic aspect to this. While I was in Germany, the US and the EU got into a fight over growth hormones used by US cattlemen. The Europeans said it was unsafe for humans to consume such meat, and used this as an excuse to ban US cattle from the EU. The US countered by ending the practice of buying meat from local butchers for the commissaries of US bases in Europe. Instead, they froze meat and shipped it from state-side.
It looks like that US beef laced with growth hormone was safer than the European meat after all.
Every time I donate blood it seems the form list of restrictions is longer. They have asked about travel to Britain for some time now, but adding Europe and British insulin is new. When they ask if I have eaten a McDonalds cheeseburger in the past 20 years, then it is over.
What makes you as paranoid as I am?
Think what a turnaround that is! In the early AIDS days, donating blood was proclaimed to be a civil right. Political correctness trumped public health. Blood centers were not permitted to screen potential donors effectively, with the result that the AIDS virus got loose faster and farther than it should have.
Much better we err on the side of caution.
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