Concern that question about 'gender assigned at birth' could pose risk to blood donations

"Therefore, transgender donors must be identified so that an appropriate assessment is made of these levels, and their eligibility to donate is determined accordingly. Certain blood components - such as blood for intrauterine transfusion - are only made from donations taken from cis-gender male donors, as female donors who have had a pregnancy may have antibodies in their blood that could cause potential harm to the foetus."

"A transgender male donor may have been pregnant prior to transitioning, therefore this must be established, so that the donation is not used for intrauterine transfusion."

"It should be noted that the citizen who contacted me did not complain, but also did not give blood."

The IBTS asks donors whether their current gender differs from the gender assigned at birth to identify transgender donors for appropriate haemoglobin and blood volume assessment. Haemoglobin levels and blood volume differ by gender, affecting donation eligibility. Certain blood components for intrauterine transfusion are sourced only from cis-gender male donors because prior pregnancies in female donors can produce antibodies that could harm a fetus. A transgender male donor's pregnancy history must be determined to prevent use of donations for intrauterine transfusion when risky. The IBTS received 41 complaints about the question over five years and has no data on people who declined to donate. Some complainants continue to give blood while at least one constituent chose not to donate.

Read at Irish Independent