Will scientists make blood donors obsolete?
Published 23 March, 2009, 15:21
Stem cells may soon reshape the whole system of blood transfusion service, making it independent from the constant supply of fresh blood by donors.
British scientists plan to develop a technique for the unlimited production of ‘synthetic’ blood from stem cells derived from leftover embryos from in vitro fertilization treatment. They will take the cells with potential to produce type O negative blood cells and coerce them into indefinitely dividing in lab, reports the Independent newspaper.
The O– blood type can be transfused to any person without the risk of tissue rejection. Only about 7% of people have this blood type, making it very rare.
The blood produced in the laboratory will be guaranteed not to be infected with diseases like HIV or hepatitis, unlike donor blood. It will also be available in large quantities, so that doctors will not face shortages even during a large-scale emergency or on battlefield.
The project is to be announced coming week. Among the sponsors are the British National Healthcare System, the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service and the Wellcome Trust charity. The research team will be headed by Professor Marc Turner of Edinburgh University.
The newspaper says the project, which is expected to culminate in three years with the first transfusion of ‘synthetic’ blood to volunteers, was held back by legal issues rather than scientific challenges. It is also controversial from the ethical standpoint, like any use of human embryos.
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