Senate passes bill to allow research on organ transplants for HIV patients

{mosads}The bill also directs the secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop and publish guidelines for the conduct of research relating to transplantation of organs from HIV-infected donors.

Before the Senate passed the bill by unanimous consent, a committee-reported substitute amendment and an amendment from Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) were added to the legislation.

Grassley’s amendment clarifies that if research shows there are no health risks involved in the procedure, that it would no longer be a crime for people with HIV to donate organs.

“I applaud the Senate for moving to end this outdated ban on research into organ donations between HIV-positive individuals,” Boxer said Monday. “This legislation offers hope for thousands of patients who are waiting for transplants by allowing scientists to research safe and effective ways to transplant these organs and save lives.”

The bill now heads to the House, where Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.) introduced a companion measure, H.R. 698.