More than 3 million blood donations are made each year in France. Demand is constantly rising, particularly due to increased life expectancy. The donation of blood and blood components is a highly regulated and monitored activity. It is also a humanitarian act with a strong social and altruistic component that raises numerous societal and ethical questions, some of which are controversial. The French Blood Establishment is the public agency responsible for ensuring self-sufficiency in blood products, in accordance with the ethical principles enshrined in law and the health safety regulations that guarantee the control of transfusion-related infectious risks. (R.A.)