(Via RedState) In an extreme example of shooting yourself in the foot over principle, San Jose State University has banned blood drives in order to combat perceived bigoted policies by the FDA.

STANFORD — San Jose State University’s decision this week to ban blood drives on the 30,000-student campus over discrimination concerns is drawing a gush of criticism from local blood banks. Stanford Blood Center officials said they actually agree with San Jose State President Don Kassing that the federal Food and Drug Administration is wrong to prohibit blood donations from gay men.

But in a statement Friday, the center called his decision to suspend campus blood drives for that reason “a terribly misguided tactic that could have a devastating impact on the blood supply, and therefore, patients in our community.”

Kassing’s stand — based on the university’s non-discrimination policy — has focused attention on a longstanding FDA rule that many say is overly restrictive. Critics, however, worry it sets a bad example that could exacerbate blood shortages if others follow his lead.

By law, people who want to give blood must be screened for a variety of potential risk factors. For instance, people aren’t allowed to donate within a year of getting a tattoo.

Whether or not you believe that donation restrictions should be eased, there is nothing good to come from denying the donation of any amount of live-saving blood as protest over the perceived slighting of a small portion of the population. If you don’t want to donate, then don’t, but it is inexcusable to remove the opportunity for busy college students who otherwise most likely won’t go off campus to give.

“What San Jose State has done is to take an institutional position based on principles, based on values,” said Larry Carr, the university’s associate vice president for public affairs.

Local blood banks say that position comes at a steep cost.

Blood drives on the San Jose campus bring in an estimated 1,000 pints a year, estimates Michele Hyndman of the Stanford Blood Center. In general, she said, high school and college campuses account for about 20 percent of all donated blood.

Hyndman argues the effects of the ban go further, however, since many students who first give blood in campus drives go on to become lifelong donors.

What San Jose State has done is put personal preferences ahead of human life. Ironic that a liberal institution wouldn’t understand the concept of “the greater good.”

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 5th, 2008 at 8:18 AM and is filed under Academia, healthcare. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.