By Kerry Oberheim

A group of Canadian hemophiliacs who allegedly received contaminated blood from prisons in Arkansas and Louisiana during the early 1980s is seeking action against the United States and possibly President Clinton.

The blood received from the prisons infected approximately 1,000 Canadian hemophiliacs with hepatitis C and the HIV virus. Michael

McCarthy, victim and Plaintiff for Canadian Victims of U.S. tainted prison plasma, feels that money preceded his life in the decision to sell the blood for export. "They made the decision that money was more important than lives," said McCarthy

McCarthy contracted hepatitis C from the infected blood that was sold to Canada in the early 1980s. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration prohibited the purchase of blood from prisons during this time; however, it was approved for export to Europe, Canada, and Japan. At the time of the decision to use the blood, President Bill Clinton was governor of Arkansas. If he was directly involved, the group of infected hemophiliacs may take action against him.

McCarthy said that the group plans to investigate Clinton's involvement. "We are certainly going to seek a deposition to inquire on his knowledge. At this time, we are not sure," said McCarthy.

The group of infected Canadians would also like an investigation of whether prison officials committed an illegal act in not screening the blood or disclosing its source. The majority of the blood came from the Cummins prison in Arkansas.

The group is seeking compensation for the great number of victims. "I think that it looks as though it's in the way of $5 billion U.S. dollars," stated McCarthy, "It borders on criminal culpability." According to the FDA, back in the early 1980s, there was no way of telling whether or not the blood had been contaminated. Regardless, the blood was taken from prisons and sold to companies even though the FDA forbade its use in the U.S.

McCarthy said he does not feel that the use of the blood was justified "I find that appalling for a country that has world class standards," said McCarthy, "It should never have happened."