Titmuss’s Warning: Symbiosis of the trade of human blood and HIV/AIDS - 中欧社会论坛 - China Europa Forum

Titmuss’s Warning: Symbiosis of the trade of human blood and HIV/AIDS

Date: 2006, Issue 6

Published by Open Times

Abstract: This article analyzes the relationship of China’s AIDS and human blood market shaped in the period from 1990 to 1995. The author begins with discussing Richard Titmuss’s warning in 1970 about the commercialization of blood collection for medical use and his proposal to conceptualize free blood donations as a “gift of life”. Then the author reviews the history of China’s human blood market and states that for a long time the Chinese government has been doubtful of people’s enthusiasm for commonweal. Otherwise, the human blood market would not have thrived and there would not be so many victims infected with HIV/AIDS as a result of blood transfusion. Simply put, early 1990’s sales of human blood in China and the rapid spread of the AIDS constitute a symbolic relationship.

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