Human Blood Substitute Could Help Meet Donor Blood Shortfall

Zothecula (1870348) writes According to the World Health Organization, over 107 million blood donations are collected around the globe every year, most of which goes on to help save lives. However, while the need for blood is global, much of that which is donated is not accessible to many who need it, such as those in developing countries. And of the blood donated in industrialized countries, the amount often falls short of requirements. To help address this imbalance, scientists at the University of Essex are developing an artificial blood substitute. It would be able to be stored at room temperatures for up to two years, which would allow it to be distributed worldwide without the need for refrigeration and make it immediately accessible at the site of natural disasters.

Comments

Re:Let gay men donate

[sexconker]

Gay men, as a group, have the highest rate of HIV infection by far.
Screening isn't perfect.

It makes far more sense to prevent high risk blood from ever getting into the system than it does to draw it, store it, and try to detect it, and dispose of it it's bad.
If someone's feelings get hurt, too fucking bad. I'd rather not die from tainted blood like my friend's mother did.

Re:Old News

[Immerman]

Of course they still haven't made any mention of the *most* important questions:

Do vampires find it palatable enough to reduce their rampant predation on our species? And if so will they now leave us alone, or exterminate us as an unnecessary threat?