The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to lift a much criticized 30-year-old ban that prohibits homosexuals from donating blood.

An FDA advisory panel will hold a two-day meeting starting Tuesday about the proposed policy change and lifting the ban will be the first agenda for the committee.

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Under current law, men who engage in sex with other men even just once are prohibited from donating blood due to a higher risk of hepatitis B, HIV and other diseases transmitted through blood transfusions.

The ban was enacted in 1983 during the national AIDS epidemic and was last updated in 1992.

It has been a subject of criticism among government officials, the Red Cross and LGBT advocates who called the "medically and scientifically unwarranted," The Hill reported.

"The policy ignores scientific proof saying the donations would be no threat to the public if the blood is screened correctly," many critics said in a statement.

For the first time, a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) advisory committee recommended the ban be replaced with a 12-month deferral period, allowing potential donors to donate blood only if they have not had same-sex contact for one year.

The FDA said the committee will hear scientific data and receive an update from the DHHS committee on blood and tissue safety.

"Following deliberations taking into consideration the available evidence, the FDA will issue revised guidance, if appropriate," said Jennifer Rodriguez, an FDA spokesperson.

Tagsblood donation, AIDS, Food and Drug Administration, FDA, Gay Men, Bisexual, Gay, National AIDS Awareness Month, gay blood donation