Commentaries

March 20, 2008

 Commentaries is where Minnesota Public Radio welcomes your thoughtful opinion about current events and issues. Commentaries are like letters to the editor. To be considered for publication, your commentary should be issue-related, clearly written, and follow our Terms of Use. New insights into ongoing topics are especially welcome. Not all commentaries received are published. For topical interaction with others, visit the discussion groups.

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Time to revise blood donation eligibility

There will be blood, but not gay blood. [MPR News: There will be blood: New law allows 16-year-olds to donate]

Pawlenty says, "And when we have tragedy where there's a large need for blood, we need to make sure that the infrastructure's in place and the supply is in place. Having an opportunity for more people to give blood is a wonderful thing."

But not if you are male and have had any sexual contact with another male, regardless of protection or type of sexual contact. This is an obviously homophobic and antiquated rule set by the American Red Cross that stops many men from giving blood. If we have such a need for everyone to give, maybe we should look at having logical rules that aren't based on prejudices. It's great the we are opening up the pool to younger and younger people but not looking at the many people who are kept out of being able to give blood. Of course one could lie about any of these screening questions and still give, but then whats the point of having them at all? The blood is tested for HIV and various other diseases transmitted via the blood so I wonder why this extra slap in the face to the community is necessary.

From the American Red Cross: "You should not give blood if you have AIDS or have ever had a positive HIV test, or if you have done something that puts you at risk for becoming infected with HIV." "You are at risk for getting infected if you: ... are a male who has had sexual contact with another male, even once, since 1977" Source: redcross.org.

Kevin Watson
Minneapolis, Minn.


What are the environmental issues around biodiesel?

We know, from great scientific research coming out in the last year or so, that there are many big unanswered environmetal impact issues around ethanol. Why wouldn't it be the same for biodiesel? [MPR News: Biodiesel backers seek same boost as ethanol]

New ethanol plants were exemted from envrionmental impact statements in 2004. That was a mistake. We should require an EIS for ethanol and biodiesel plants. It is a mistake to assume that either of these fuels will reduce our carbon footprint, improve air quality, and not have other negative environmental impacts unless we have engaged in good science to evaluate them.

Ken Tschumper
La Crescent, Minn.

[Rep. Ken Tschumper (DFL) represents Minnesota State Legislative District 31B]


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