Voluntary Deferral of Blood Donations and HTLV-III Antibody Positivity

To the Editor: Concern about the transmission of human T-cell lymphotropic virus Type III (HTLV-III) has resulted in major changes in blood-banking procedures, including the introduction of HTLV-III antibody testing of donated blood in the spring of 1985 1 and the revision of blood-donor standards to eliminate blood donation by groups at high risk of having the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). 2 3 4 American Red Cross blood donors, who provide about half the blood collected in the United States, not only are directly questioned about the signs and symptoms of AIDS but also must certify, in writing, that they have read a booklet . . .