Death Disguised as Life: Blood and Biosecurity

Abstract The purpose of this Paper is to analyze the question of whether the Department of Health and Human Services should impose greater regulations restricting individuals from donating blood for transfusions in order to prevent transmission of diseases which blood donors may have unknowingly acquired abroad. Discussion of this question requires an analysis of: (1) what types of diseases can be transmitted via blood transfusion; (2) what tests are conducted on donated blood; (3) what is the balance between the desperate need for donated blood and the necessary precautions to be taken; and (4) what impact would regulations have on an individual’s willingness to donate.This Paper proposes implementing regulations and restrictions to act as safeguards against the spread of foreign acquired diseases. Part I discuses the current regulations of the blood donation process. Part II discusses diseases an individual can contract while traveling abroad. Part III proposes a policy that addresses the risk of foreign disease epidemics promulgated through the blood donation system. Finally, Part IV discusses the implications of the implementation of such measures.