Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

NHS To Give Volunteers "Synthetic Blood" Made In a Laboratory Within Two Years

Posted by samzenpus on from the true-blood dept.

schwit1 writes: The NHS plans to test artificial blood made from human stem cells in patients and hopes to start transfusing people with artificial blood by 2017. The trials will take place in Cambridge and If successful could lead to the mass production of artificial blood. The Independent reports: "A long-awaited clinical trial of artificial red blood cells will occur before 2017, NHS scientists said. The blood is made from stem cells extracted from either the umbilical cord blood of newborn babies or the blood of adult donors. The trial, thought to be a world first, will involve small transfusions of a few teaspoons of synthetic blood to test for any adverse reactions. It will allow scientists to study the time the manufactured red blood cells can survive within human recipients. Eventually, it is hoped that the NHS will be able to make unlimited quantities of red blood cells for emergency transfusions."

5 of 57 comments (clear)

  1. Re: wow by binarylarry · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yeah but isn't this how most zombie movies start?

    --
    Mod me down, my New Earth Global Warmingist friends!
  2. Fiction becomes reality by Totenglocke · · Score: 4, Funny

    So, you're saying that they've invented True Blood? Then we should expect to see vampires "coming out of the coffin" in a few years.... I can't wait!

    --
    "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." ~Thomas Jefferson
  3. Teaspoons by wonkey_monkey · · Score: 5, Funny

    The trial, thought to be a world first, will involve small transfusions of a few teaspoons of synthetic blood

    I know it's England, tradition and all that, but wouldn't syringes make the job easier?

    --
    systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
    1. Re:Teaspoons by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      You should see the back streets of London, littered with teaspoons!

  4. Re:A monumental day by wonkey_monkey · · Score: 4, Funny

    Either it will be toxic or zombies. Or super cancer.

    Or toxic super cancer zombies.

    --
    systemd is Roko's Basilisk.