RT Journal
A1 Mitka M
T1 TRansmissible spongiform encephalopathies and the us blood supply—reply
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 
In Reply: I appreciate that Dr Wilkinson may
disagree with my use of language; however, the offending phrases quoted in
her letter are taken out of context and appear more sensational than they
actually are. Her point that I wrote a factual inaccuracy is partially correct.
Current FDA policy does defer blood donations by individuals with classic
CJD. However, Wilkinson's statement that previous donations of blood and blood
components from such individuals are discarded is not fully accurate. On September
8, 1998, the FDA issued a change to its guidance governing blood donations
involving people with CJD.1 The guidance
involved plasma derivatives and indicated that such blood products would be
allowed even if they came from donors who subsequently develop classic CJD
(new variant CJD blood products would still be subject to retrieval, quarantine,
and destruction).