Subject: Medical Panel Calls Blood Supply Safe, Despite AIDS Scare 
Date: Published: 8/19/92 (42 lines)
Source: Wall Street Journal. Copyright Dow Jones & Co. Inc.

    Technology & Health:
    Medical Panel Calls
    Blood Supply Safe,
    Despite AIDS Scare
    ----
    By John A. Cloud
    Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal

    ROCKVILLE, Md.  -- A panel of medical experts said preliminary
 evidence shows that the nation's blood supply remains safe despite
 worries over a new AIDS-like illness.
    The panel, which included representatives of U. S. blood banks,
 also said there isn't enough evidence to warrant additional
 screening of the blood supply.  Currently, blood banks screen for
 eight infectious diseases.
    "The evidence that we have right now today is that the blood
 supply is as safe as it's ever been," said Peter Tomasulo, chief
 operating officer for blood services at the American Red Cross.  But
 panel members stressed that their conclusions were based on sparse
 data collected with largely unproven methods for detecting the
 possible virus.
    According to the Centers for Disease Control, 30 cases have been
 found in the U. S., scattered among 15 states and involving patients
 ranging in age from 18 to more than 70 years old.  While they have
 low immune cell counts, a characteristic of AIDS, they all test
 negative for human immunodeficiency virus.
    In summarizing the panel's conclusions, June Osborn, chairwoman
 of the National Commission on AIDS, said while the preliminary
 evidence is "very reassuring," further studies should be conducted.
 "Alertness is the appropriate stance," she said.
    Dr. Tomasulo said the panel is an informal advisory committee
 with no regulatory powers.  He said the Food and Drug Administration
 has the power to enforce screening of the blood supply for the
 possible virus.

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