Bloody Foolish
I went to donate blood today. I found out that I cannot donate blood in the United States.
Why?
Because in 1985, I spent 3 months in England. Yes, that's right, they're afraid I was exposed to mad cow disease. Look, I might or might not BE a mad cow (I'll leave that to all of you to determine), but the idea that I'm at more risk of exposure than the average American is rather silly and shortsighted. It is highly likely that our herds are infected too. We simply don't test them. We do, however, feed them the same mashed-up sheep brains that caused the disease in the first place. So why would our herds escape infection?
Unfortunately, due to this shortsightedness, other people with the same rare blood type I have will be unable to receive blood from me, even though I am in excellent health.
Comments
Moo!
Posted by: Elsie | August 12, 2004 10:09 PM
Nice to see another outcast... well maybe not "nice." I lived in the UK from 85-88 and live in constant fear of transforming into a mad cow. Alas, the Red Cross has labled me Plasma non-grata.
Posted by: oceanguy | August 13, 2004 10:27 AM
I'venever known you to be mad. But you can be a bit peevish on occaision.
Posted by: Just John | August 13, 2004 02:30 PM