Transfusable Blood to Be Made From ESCs

Scientists are attempting to create synthetic blood from embryonic stem cells (ESCs).

Surplus embryos used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments will be screened to find the stem cells that can develop into O-negative blood, which can be transfused into virtually every patient. The stem cells can then be developed into red blood cells, offering potentially an inexhaustible supply of blood for emergency situations. This will be of great significance for the military and emergency units around the world.

In the year 2008 Advanced Cell Technology (Los Angeles, CA, USA) announced that it could make a fresh supply of blood from embryonic stem cells. Scientists in the United Kingdom, Sweden, France, and Australia are also working in the field. A consortium consisting of the NHS Blood and Transplant (Bristol, UK), Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (Edinburgh, UK), and Wellcome Trust (London, UK) is supporting the project. They believe that the new blood supply should be ready for testing in humans within three years.

Related Links:
Advanced Cell Technology
NHS Blood and Transplant
Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service
Wellcome Trust