Compassion and Fear Over AIDS

AIDS in our blood supply? Yes, and the case of Markowski brings the problems of blood sales to the forefront. Most of the people who visit Skid Row blood banks are only interested in the financial rewards.

There is a great need to identify who sells to these blood banks. I propose that a program of mandatory fingerprinting begin at all private blood banks. A permanent record would have to be kept for each sale.

This form of identification would put the seller of blood on notice that their true identity is being recorded and could be used in court as legal evidence of a crime.

I have no fears with the Red Cross system of blood donation because their donors are not motivated by money. Therefore I don’t feel that fingerprinting is necessary for their donors.

BRUCE NOLTE

Pasadena