The tragedy of contaminated blood in France: an approach to public health

The tragic HIV contamination of hemophilics and transfusion recipients betw een 1980 and 1985 in France led to low court proceeding the same events. In addition, last lune a state minister was arraigned for not recalling trans fused patients before 1985. This involves later events and announces other court actions. France is the only country where these dramatic events have take on the dim ension of a major political scandal. Based on the scientific elements (reactions and articles in the internation al medical literature) and an analysis of the decisions made by France, a c hronological examination of the disease acid the risks for hemophiliacs and transfusion recipients offers helpful insight into possible options for re ducing these risks. The interval between these the court proceeding allows time for further tho ught focusing on a serious deviation of public health in France.