Race-free blood testing system sought

The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is looking at new ways of determining whether donated blood is safe from diseases such as HIV/AIDS, without using race as a factor. In a system used by the SANBS, regular donors who were white or Indian were deemed Category 1 - at lowest risk of HIV or other diseases - while black donors were classified as either Category 3 or 4, because HIV and hepatitis were thought to be "more widespread" among them. SANBS chief executive Anthon Heyns said they would continue using the old system to keep supplies safe until a new model for checking blood was approved. The South African Press Association quoted him as saying: "Some models have been put forward, but still have to be validated. We can't compromise the safety of the blood supply."