Bad Blood: The Tragedy of the Canadian Tainted Blood Scandal

Marilyn Mardiros is an associate professor of health sciences at the
University of Ottawa.

This book traces the history of blood contamination in Canada from the
1970s to 1995. Although the population focus is primarily on
hemophiliacs, surgery patients, pregnant women and their babies, and
others are discussed. Recipients of tainted blood products have
contracted not only HIV but also hepatitis C.

Parsons traces blood products from donor to recipient, clearly
documenting and analyzing the involvement of key players: federal and
provincial governmental departments and committees such as the Canadian
Blood Committee and the Bureau of Biologics; professional groups and
bureaucratic institutions, including the Canadian Red Cross Society,
Cutter Laboratories, Connaught Laboratories, and the Medical and
Scientific Advisory Committee; and consumer and voluntary groups such as
the Canadian Hemophiliac Society (CHS). The author draws upon archival
work of the CHS and his personal experiences of having a son and nephews
with hemophilia to produce a comprehensive overview and analysis of
Canada’s tainted blood scandal—a scandal that raises serious issues
of corporate and government accountability.

The absence of notes or references will limit the book’s usefulness
for students and others needing information on the primary sources
cited.