Just years away from ground-breaking production of synthetic blood from stem cells.
Risk of infection from blood transfusion will be a thing of the past when the research by the British scientists to produce synthetic blood succeeds in about three years. This is achieved by transfusion of synthetic blood made from the stem cells of spare IVF embryos in trials on human volunteers. This breakthrough when successful will save the recipients from the great risk of infection from the donor blood, but strong ethical implications will need to be addressed as well. Need for dependence on blood donation volunteers will no longer be necessary. Initial attempts are based on the universal donor group of O-negative volunteers whose blood can be transfused into any patient without the risk of rejection. Hepatitis, HIV, and the human “mad cow” risks are totally eliminated in synthetic blood transfusion, it is felt.
Though only 7% of the population has O-negative, the researchers are hopeful of mass production from embryonic stem cells due to their phenomenal ability to multiply indefinitely. Just one embryo can meet the needs of an entire nation! Is it not a medical achievement?
This project under Dr. Mare Turner, Professor of Cellular Therapy (see photo), University of in Edinburgh involves the British National Health Service and the Wellcome Trust, the world’s largest medical research charity in UK. Sweden, France and Australia are also engaged in similar research programs.
Risk of infection from blood transfusion will be a thing of the past when the research by the British scientists to produce synthetic blood succeeds in about three years. This is achieved by transfusion of synthetic blood made from the stem cells of spare IVF embryos in trials on human volunteers. This breakthrough when successful will save the recipients from the great risk of infection from the donor blood, but strong ethical implications will need to be addressed as well. Need for dependence on blood donation volunteers will no longer be necessary. Initial attempts are based on the universal donor group of O-negative volunteers whose blood can be transfused into any patient without the risk of rejection. Hepatitis, HIV, and the human “mad cow” risks are totally eliminated in synthetic blood transfusion, it is felt.
Though only 7% of the population has O-negative, the researchers are hopeful of mass production from embryonic stem cells due to their phenomenal ability to multiply indefinitely. Just one embryo can meet the needs of an entire nation! Is it not a medical achievement?
This project under Dr. Mare Turner, Professor of Cellular Therapy (see photo), University of in Edinburgh involves the British National Health Service and the Wellcome Trust, the world’s largest medical research charity in UK. Sweden, France and Australia are also engaged in similar research programs.
Of interest, the Advanced Cell Technology of the United States had developed medical technology to mass produce billions of blood cells from stem cells, but paucity of funds affected this program. This has since been restored by the Obama administration.
Source: Times of India March 24, 2009
Image: Google
6 comments on "Synthetic blood soon"
There are people who at regular intervals drain some blood from the neck area as a habit that is considered healthy. This is done by barbers.There are many such barbers in Riyadh. With threats as HIV this is hope for the future.
My God, what a belief! Doctor, you are amazing!
This is a great discovery. Many people will be free from HIV threat. It is really a medical achievement.
Great discovery. No HIV threat. An excellent medical discovery.
good information, keep going
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A wonderful informative post. Thanks for sharing.
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God bless.
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