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[Realmfighter]

Stuff like "have you had sex with more than 3 different partners in the last 3 weeks" "Are you a homosexual?"

I literally face palmed at this.

Because obviously you can't get STI's with only one partner. They have to slowly build up in your body over many partners or anal sex, but only if your with another man.

[Vector]

Same thing in California, actually.

[PyroDesu]

I don't know myself (I'm too young to donate blood or anything like that), but I would not be surprised if there were to be at least one clinic like that around here, being in the south.

[Akura]

I walk in to work and the first thing I hear out of the radio(which was tuned to what I think was the same station Howard Camping was on) is someone going off about how doctors encourage baby-murder and abortions(to guy speaking, basically the same thing) because "the child will have Downs Syndrome" or other mental conditions. First: I really doubt any doctor would suggest an abortion like that, especially in that way... except maybe an abortion clinic, but that's sort of a given >_>. Second, how in the hell would they be able to determine if an undeveloped fetus will have a mental disability anyhow?

At least the manager didn't notice when I shut it off.

[Vector]

Downs' Syndrome is caused for trisomy 21, a chromosomal defect, and IIRC 90% or so of the fetuses with it are aborted.  In fact, my mother let me know that if I'd ended up having it, she'd have aborted me.

They're working on fetal genetic markers for the autism spectrum as we speak.

[SalmonGod]

They're working on fetal genetic markers for the autism spectrum as we speak.

Mentioning this in such a context is rather terrifying...

[Vector]

You may find this interesting, then.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

In most places, admitting to being a male homosexual will get you put on a list for those permanently banned from donating blood.

[SalmonGod]

You may find this interesting, then.

That website is blocked here.  Ugh.

[Vector]

Oh, okay.  Here's the bulk of it, copied and pasted:

As originally posted, this page was a response to an article published on MSNBC.com on Feb. 23, 2005, in which Dr. Joseph Buxbaum, a prominent research scientist, predicted that genetic research on autism could lead to a prenatal test within 10 years. A countdown timer posted at the top of this page, entitled "The Autistic Genocide Clock," kept track of the time remaining in the 10-year period after the date of that article. A discussion of eugenics followed.

The world has changed considerably since then. It seems hard to believe now, upon rewriting this article in July 2011, that just six years ago many influential decision-makers seriously advocated eugenic eradication of the entire Autistic population -- a minority group estimated to include more than 60 million human beings worldwide. The mainstream media and the public policy discussions about autism became saturated with imagery straight out of medieval changeling myths. Autistic people were commonly described as empty shells, less than human, devoid of empathy, and incapable of contributing to society. Some public charities intentionally promoted these atrocious stereotypes as a strategy to gain more funding for genetic research.

But two things happened that derailed their plans to develop a prenatal test and to put it into routine use. First, the genetic factors involved in autism proved to be more complex than they had anticipated. Second, and more significantly, the public conversation changed. Autistic self-advocates and others who were concerned about its destructive tone launched efforts to shift the focus of the discourse. Policymakers listened, and the conversation moved into the realm of disability rights. The media became more aware of their ethical obligation to present accurate and respectful information about autism. The discourse began to focus on the actual needs of Autistic people -- community services and supports; better health care; and equal opportunity in schools, the workplace, and throughout society.

Although the cultural and political landscape has changed in many ways for the better since this page was created, the history of that time period should not be forgotten. It is a sobering reminder of just how quickly, even in a modern democracy such as the United States, media-driven mass hysteria can push any minority group to the brink of genocide. It also stands as a testament to the determined efforts of the many decent people who put large amounts of time and hard work into pushing back. We would be wise to remember the admonition, often attributed to Thomas Jefferson, that "eternal vigilance is the price of liberty."

[Leafsnail]

In most places, admitting to being a male homosexual will get you put on a list for those permanently banned from donating blood.

In the UK that has been changed, although you're still not allowed to give blood if you're a man who's had sex with a man in the past year.

[PyroDesu]

In most places, admitting to being a male homosexual will get you put on a list for those permanently banned from donating blood.

All I have to say on the matter is:

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING? SERIOUSLY?

Those laws make almost no sense whatsoever. There is not a "risk" if they were to test it all with modern tests, instead of going on hype!


Homophobic bastards.

[SalmonGod]

Thanks, Vector.  That is comforting.

I'm still incredibly disturbed by so many people's attitudes towards neurodiversity -- how easily people define different styles and functions of thought or even emotional states as defects to be fixed or eradicated.

[nenjin]

In most places, admitting to being a male homosexual will get you put on a list for those permanently banned from donating blood.

Wow, I had no idea it was that pervasive. I figured it was just some quaint discrimination here in my town...I had no idea it's practically a commandment handed down by the CDC.

[Bdthemag]

I really doubt gay people as a group have more sex than straight people, its just silly to think they do.