RT Journal
A1 Wilkinson SL
T1 TRansmissible spongiform encephalopathies and the us blood supply
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 1999
FD December 22
VO 282
IS 24
SP 2301
OP 2302
DO 10-1001/pubs.JAMA-ISSN-0098-7484-282-24-jbk1222
UL http://dx.doi.org/10-1001/pubs.JAMA-ISSN-0098-7484-282-24-jbk1222
AB 
To the Editor: I am writing to express the
concern of the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) about a Medical
News & Perspectives article regarding transmissible spongiform encephalopathies
(TSEs) and the US blood supply.1 Unsubstantiated
statements such as " . . . guardians of the blood supply were slow to react
. . . ," " . . . public health leaders are flying blind on TSEs . . . ," and
" . . . do-nothing policies that could someday see thousands facing horrific
deaths from these mysterious diseases" are, in our opinion, both speculative
and sensational. We believe these statements damage the hard work of the AABB
and the entire medical community in ensuring the safety of the blood supply
and patient care in general.