Now, gay men will be allowed to donate blood as lifetime ban on accepting blood donations from men who have had sex with men is no more in action, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The FDA administration, while announcing the new decision, said the agency has amended the law and now gay men’s blood will be accepted. Men who have sex with men (MSM) will be able to donate their blood only if they had sexual contact with another man about 12 months ago, it explained.

The federal agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services announced the final guidance after several years of scientific research. Some federal agencies and external advisory committees also helped FDA to take the decision regarding the ban.

FDA Acting Commissioner Stephen Ostroff, M.D. said, “We have taken great care to ensure this policy revision is backed by sound science and continues to protect our blood supply”. The FDA banned gay and bisexual men from donating blood for lifetime in 1983 when the AIDS crisis just started. It was the time when the agency wasn’t sure about the spread of the disease.

Kelsey Louie, CEO for Gay Men's Health Crisis, said it is the right time for the government to stop considering HIV as it was in 1980s. The FDA should implement a guideline which is based on science, not blanket bans on certain groups of people.