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All Blood Converted to Type O?

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the pumped-iron dept.

UnanimousCoward writes "The BBC is reporting that scientists claim to have discovered a technique to convert all blood into Type O with the discovery of an enzyme that can strip the A and B antigens. This has implications to transform the stored blood supply into transfusable blood for all. It does not address the RH negative issue, however."

5 of 206 comments (clear)

  1. No RH, no problem... for me. by el+americano · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It does not address the RH negative issue, however

    OK, so not everyone would be a universal recipient, but most people would be. 85% of the US population (apologies to the international community.

    --
    Those are my principles. If you don't like them I have others. -Groucho Marx
  2. Synthetic Blood by gears6556 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I'm actually surprised that we haven't developed synthetic blood before now. We've known about blood types for 100 years and I keep expecting to see a machine producing blood cells in the news any day now.

    Provided with the proper nutrients couldn't we keep a cell alive and dividing to have an unlimited supply?

    Something I didn't know before that I learned from the article: Anyone can receive type O blood without risk.

    Great post!

    1. Re:Synthetic Blood by empaler · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I've always held that being blood type AB is probably one of the biggest fortunes of my life. Of course, like all other privileges, it should be shared, and even though I can get tap water in my veins and my body won't reject it, I donate (note: not sell) willingly and regularly to help others. In the end, if they start running low, it won't affect me if I get run down in that time, but that'd just mean I'd be taking blood that could help others.

  3. Re:Half solution by tripa · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Half solution is not a solution!
    It's a full solution to the half problem.
    Is half a problem not a problem?
  4. A couple of answers... by teidou · · Score: 5, Insightful

    My day job is to run a blood bank.

    The enzymes discussed in the article are the next step in 25+ years working toward the goal of making blood universally compatible. The enzymes are years and years away from routine use, if they ever do make it to market. Offhand, major questions that need to be addressed include: Does it *really* work? Is the process cost-effective at manufacturing scales? Is it safe? Does the enzyme affect other proteins so people make antibodies?

    Conversion of non-O RBCs to group O RBCs will make them more widely compatible, and may alleviate the shortage of group O RBCs, but does not affect Rh compatibility or the compatibility of platelets or of FFP. We would still have shortages of these products even when the process is up and running, and, so, we still need people to donate.

    There are a number of guesses, comments, and half-truths posted above. I'll do my best to answer specific (on-topic!) questions posted as replies to this comment.

    Teidou.