Embryo-made Synthetic Blood

Scientists from the United Kingdom are planning a major research project which involves investigation on embryonic stem cells to create synthetic human blood. The Scottish National Blood Transfusion System is leading a three year trial aimed to provide an unlimited supply of blood for emergency transfusions. Their objective is creating banks of the universal “O-” blood donor group, which should be free of infections and transfused to anyone without fearing tissue rejection. This blood type is really limited, as only 7% of the population belongs to this blood type.

The Welcome Trust have promised £3m towards the cost of the project, with further funding coming from the blood transfusion services of Scotland, England and Wales. The Irish government is also believed to be involved. Edinburgh University scientist Marc Turner, director of the National Blood Transfusion Service, will be leading this project, and mentioned the work would begin in the next few weeks after final approval had been given from the relevant research bodies.

This project is based on the system in which the US firm called Advanced Cell Technology has managed to produce billions of red blood cells from embryonic blood cells in this way. “Our challenge” Professor Turner says, “Is to scale up the production and move the science from the lab to the bedside, which will take years. We will be able to generate proof of the principle in a few years, but the real treatment is 5 to 10 years away.” In principle, this would provide an unlimited supply of blood in this way, and probably save thousands of lives.