The taintedblood Timeline  -  what really happened...

In 1968, a direct test for the presence of Hepatitis B (HBsAg), (Hepatitis B Surface Antigen) is developed and used to identify persons with the disease.

Screening for Hepatitis B becomes available.

Note: The screening of donated plasma for hepatitis B, (HBV) is introduced by BPL in November 1971.

The Lister Institute of Preventative Medicine Chelsea laboratories are forced to close due to repeated annual deficits and failure to secure adequate government support.

Astonishingly, the government stopped funding the only research facility that could have developed heat-treatment and a screening test for Non-A Non-B hepatitis by as early as 1978.

A test is developed to determine a history of viral hepatitis in blood donors.

By no later than 1978, the US Pharmaceuticals allegedly know of the availability of a new Hepatitis B Core (HBc) test that can determine whether an individual has a history of viral Hepatitis, which would disqualify the donor from providing plasma for the manufacture of Factor VIII or IX.

The US Blood Companies finally introduce the Hepatitis B Core Antibody (HBc) test. This is late since the HBc test was reported to be an effective surrogate test for both AIDS transmission and Non-A non-B Hepatitis carriers by 1982.