The poisoned gift: AIDS and blood

The moral and communal ends served by a system of gifts of blood have been threatened by the fear of AIDS transmission. Blood banks and those at risk for HIV infection have made changes in their practices to reduce the risk to recipients, and physicians and patients now understand better that blood carries risks and should never be used unless necessary. The deeper importance of gifts of blood, nevertheless, has not significantly changed; millions still need blood each year, and millions are personally willing to meet that need. Embodied in the system of blood gifts is an affirmation of the value of community with the strangers among whom we live.