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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."

57 comments

  1. wow by BmorePaul · · Score: 1

    If this is successful, it's nobel prize type stuff. This will save many lives.

    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. Re: wow by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 3, Informative

      There is actually a fun(if now somewhat dated looking, just check out all those giant flip phones) British TV series that revolves pretty closely around synthetic blood. Called "Ultraviolet"(not to be confused with the terrible movie by the same name); didn't run terribly long, unfortunately; but worth a watch if you can find it around.

      It definitely has the best answer to "How would a SWAT team be equipped if they were dealing with vampires?" that I've yet seen. A life lesson.

    3. Re: wow by GeorgeRidout · · Score: 1

      I had this on DVD - great show. I also watched it first time round in the 90's.

    4. Re: wow by cyberchondriac · · Score: 1

      Actually, this is how a vampire show started.. with the synthetic product TruBlood.

      --

      Look back up at my post, now look back down, you're on the Internet. Now look back up. I'm a signature.
  2. Shades of Methuselah's Children by CrimsonAvenger · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Shame it won't work the way it did in that story.

    Still, a major step, especially for the rarer bloodtypes. Be nice to not have to depend so much on donors, especially since donors are way more likely to have loathsome diseases transmitted via blood than any lab-grown blood....

    --

    "I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"
    1. Re:Shades of Methuselah's Children by andrewbaldwin · · Score: 4, Informative

      especially since donors are way more likely to have loathsome diseases transmitted via blood

      This is not so much of a concern in the UK (it is the NHS in the article)

      Two points:

      1) All blood used in the UK is extensively screened before use

      2) In the UK people are not paid for blood - it's a donation. Thus the case of desperate people selling blood for ready cash doesn't arise. There is also a long questionnaire to be filled in every time you donate (whether it's your 1st or 40th time) which is used to screen out people who have visited countries at risk, engaged in risky sexual behaviour, had injections recently, are on medication .....

    2. Re:Shades of Methuselah's Children by pfredphotos · · Score: 1, Interesting

      1) All blood used in the UK is extensively screened before use

      Until something comes along that isn't screened for. HIV comes to mind.

    3. Re:Shades of Methuselah's Children by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I stopped donating when they started requiring ID and social.

    4. Re:Shades of Methuselah's Children by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 1

      There is also some hope that we'll be able to come up with a synthetic that is easier to store. In a proper hospital, or near one, that's a problem we've solved more or less well enough(given that demand is fairly constant and not too 'peaky', longer stockpile times would be nice; but inventory turns over fairly quickly); but if somebody can come up with a mylar pouch filled with a liquid perfluorocarbon and some specially crafted macromolecules that is an acceptable substitute for a modest percentage of your real blood, has no blood type whatsoever, and keeps as long as an MRE, there will be some happy campers further out in the sticks.

    5. Re:Shades of Methuselah's Children by Whiternoise · · Score: 1

      HIV is explicitly screened for. http://www.blood.co.uk/resourc...

    6. Re:Shades of Methuselah's Children by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They screen for AIDS/HIV specifically (as well as other conditions) on all blood donated.

      When donating you are reminded that if you are positive for any diseases you will be contacted by your GP to discuss any positive results.

      The sessions I attend in my local town are always very busy with very few open drop-in sessions (booking in advance is strongly advised), and a wide range of donors, with the majority over 30 years old.

      Some people find it uncomfortable, have religious beliefs that don't allow it or have fears (such as that of needles) -- for everyone else I highly recommend it. It takes up no more than 20 minutes of your time, is imho pretty painless and could help save someone's life (or be put towards research that might save many more).

      Wouldn't you expect blood to be available if you need it?

    7. Re:Shades of Methuselah's Children by pfredphotos · · Score: 1

      That's not my point. It wasn't screened for until it was known about, which means many people contracted HIV through blood transfusions. The same thing can happen with another new disease that they don't know about, which in turn means they aren't screening for.

    8. Re:Shades of Methuselah's Children by beelsebob · · Score: 1

      American troll is American. The UK doesn't have a social security number (There's a similar concept, but it's called a National Insurance Number).

    9. Re:Shades of Methuselah's Children by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

      So we should stop blood transfusions all together to saves lifes? What are you on about?

    10. Re:Shades of Methuselah's Children by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The point was they didn't test for it when AIDS/HIV was "new".

      The zombie infection could spread to thousands of people before they start testing for it.

    11. Re:Shades of Methuselah's Children by SairaAwan · · Score: 0

      good work and you should keep it continue. http://www.rawalpindiforum.pk/

    12. Re:Shades of Methuselah's Children by pfredphotos · · Score: 1

      My point is that the UK isn't immune to diseases being transmitted via blood donations as you implied.

    13. Re:Shades of Methuselah's Children by dave420 · · Score: 1

      No one claimed it was. It's just about as good as it gets, though, as the people who donate are definitely not donating for money.

    14. Re:Shades of Methuselah's Children by garyisabusyguy · · Score: 1

      One of the biggest issues in the UK is prion disease, and the US, Canada, New Zealand, Poland, etc... restrict blood donations from people who have spent a significant amount of time in the UK or France
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

      Blood donations that have expired in the US are frequently shipped to the UK for use since they are in dire need of blood that is guaranteed to be prion disease free

      --
      Wherever You Go, There You Are
    15. Re:Shades of Methuselah's Children by dave420 · · Score: 1

      A problem which affects all blood transfusions, so I guess we'd better shut it all down and just not bother.

    16. Re:Shades of Methuselah's Children by tehcyder · · Score: 0

      That's not my point. It wasn't screened for until it was known about, which means many people contracted HIV through blood transfusions. The same thing can happen with another new disease that they don't know about, which in turn means they aren't screening for.

      Yeah fuck it, let's just go back to leeches.

      --
      To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
    17. Re:Shades of Methuselah's Children by tehcyder · · Score: 1

      American troll is American. The UK doesn't have a social security number (There's a similar concept, but it's called a National Insurance Number).

      Maybe by "social" he meant "access to my social media account aka facebook". Or something.

      --
      To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
    18. Re:Shades of Methuselah's Children by cyberchondriac · · Score: 1

      He might not have trolling, just relating how he stopped donating to the American red cross when they made those requirements. Frankly though, it's just about impossible, realistically, to "live off the grid' anymore, not without being a hermit in a hidden cabin in the mountains in the wilderness, so, he'd have to not do much of anything then.
      Anyway, why so quick to label as an, "American troll"? --sounds like an axe to grind there.

      -Your partner in hell, ;)
      Me-fist-opheles.

      --

      Look back up at my post, now look back down, you're on the Internet. Now look back up. I'm a signature.
    19. Re:Shades of Methuselah's Children by Applehu+Akbar · · Score: 1

      "2) In the UK people are not paid for blood - it's a donation."

      I'm sure you people believe that poor Americans are required by their slave overseers to trade their blood for the Krispy Kreme donuts they can't do without, but that's not how it works. It was recognized that paying for blood would attract the wrong kind of donor, so we set up a system called "blood banking": middle-class people, the kind who have to pay dearly for their healthcare, donated blood in exchange for credit against future need for blood units from the medical system. If a relative needed blood or a public appeal went out for someone in need of large amounts of blood, you could assign your units.

      But this started cutting into hospital profits, so we stopped doing the credits accounting. The medical system now has to keep wheedling for uncredited donations from the same middle-class people, generally by setting up blood drives through offices and organizations and trying to get people to compete with their coworkers. Absent the credits, they are now always short of blood.

    20. Re:Shades of Methuselah's Children by famebait · · Score: 1

      Can you even read? The point of this subthread was applauding the promise of synthetic blood eliminating such risks, and how that will be a first.

      Calm the fuck down.

      --
      sudo ergo sum
    21. Re:Shades of Methuselah's Children by Chris+Mattern · · Score: 1

      You missed the OP's point. Yes, HIV is screened for now. When the AIDS epidemic started, it wasn't screened for because nobody knew it existed. What pathogen that isn't tested for because nobody knows it exists could be in blood supply now?

    22. Re:Shades of Methuselah's Children by Chris+Mattern · · Score: 1

      Or we could go forward to artificial blood, which completely bypasses this problem.

    23. Re:Shades of Methuselah's Children by KGIII · · Score: 1

      They do not donate for money here either. They sell plasma which is not really blood. The Red Cross stuff is all free but they give you a cookie and some juice. In my younger days we would donate blood and then go drinking as we could get drunk for less. These were grand times and the city of Cambridge still echoes with our laughter. Somewhere, I assume it is in the basement, I still have a purloined Mass Ave street sign. I understand they have become so weary of replacing them that they now sell them in the campus store.

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
  3. Sourceforge to Give Users "Synthetic Advertising" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

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    Optionally, you may complete the following survey by replying to this post, indicating affirmative responses with an X in each appropriate box:

    GayWAD Membership Survey (OPTIONAL)

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  4. A monumental day by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    If this actually works, it will completely change the world.
    Blood shortages are a huge issue in the medical world. And considerably more so for rarer blood types.
    If this works, it will lead the way to making blood no more of an issue than giving someone a standard saline drip.
    Eventually it might even pave the way to universal synth blood, or smart blood that targets the host and erodes the unneeded targets for other blood types.

    Of course, let's face it, something will go wrong.
    Either it will be toxic or zombies. Or super cancer. Even though it can't cause cancer. But nature finds a way to screw us.

    Good luck to the researches and vic--- patients.

    1. 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.
    2. Re:A monumental day by thedonger · · Score: 1

      We already have zombies: All those people that tune into Keeping up with the Kardashians and its ilk. Fortunately, they aren't likely to bite anyone that isn't also sitting on their couch.

      --
      Help fight poverty: Punch a poor person.
    3. Re:A monumental day by cyberchondriac · · Score: 1

      "Death finds a way" - Dr. Ian Maclom
      No, wait, he said "Life".. meh, same difference in the end.

      --

      Look back up at my post, now look back down, you're on the Internet. Now look back up. I'm a signature.
    4. Re:A monumental day by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is happening in the UK after all. At least it's a small land mass and can be quarantined.

    5. Re:A monumental day by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Artificial blood will change way more than the medical world. You can be sure there will be college parties with constant drinking where they pump fresh blood into you and take the 'drunk blood' out. Has there been any sci-fi books about a world where everyone can easily replace their total blood volume?

  5. Aid overpopulation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    We as a global community are unable to manage our species own reckless destruction of global biodiverisity. It's true this will ease suffering, but it will have costs in other areas. The more humans are less held back by their own mortality, the more freedom they have to further destroy nature - as history has told us already.

    1. Re:Aid overpopulation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Yes but... once the proletariat accepts the idea of manufactured blood, think what can be done with that blood!

      - built in obsolescence - when the patient reaches 80, or if the patient gets dementia, the engineered blood can take 'em down.

      The possibilities are endless!

  6. 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
    1. Re:Fiction becomes reality by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      See you at Fangtasia, man...

    2. Re:Fiction becomes reality by Totenglocke · · Score: 1

      I swear to FSM, if vampires turn out to be real, I'm absolutely finding someone to turn me. I know there's a 99.9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999% chance they're not...but I can hope!

      --
      "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." ~Thomas Jefferson
    3. Re:Fiction becomes reality by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I thought the same thing!

    4. Re:Fiction becomes reality by penguinoid · · Score: 1

      "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." ~Thomas Jefferson

      But synthetic blood is so much more convenient.

      --
      Don't waste your vote! Vote for whoever you want, unless you live in a swing state it won't matter anyways
  7. 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!

    2. Re:Teaspoons by Dragonslicer · · Score: 1

      Everyone can stop posting, we found today's winner of The Internet.

  8. Which is it, artificial or synthetic? by Muad'Dave · · Score: 2

    The article calls the cells 'artificial' and the blood 'synthetic' - I would argue that the cells are not artificial but merely exogenous since they arise from the same stem cells 'normal' blood comes from and are simply grown external to the body (and are indistinguishable from 'real' RBCs, presumably). An artificial cell would be: 1) a cell-like nano-machine manufactured to carry O2, or 2) a living cell derived from other types of cells that has been coaxed into carrying O2 but was not grown from RBC-producing stem cells.

    If the non-RBC components of the blood are not similarly derived or do not come from actual fractionated whole blood or plasma, then I agree that the blood is synthetic.

    --
    Tiller's Rule: Never use a word in written form that you've only heard and never read. You will end up looking foolish.
  9. Not exactly synthetic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Lab grown, not plastic.

  10. Interesting, but by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I had a girlfriend back in the 70's who was brilliant and she compounded some type of artificial blood using a liquid fluorocarbon and some compounds present in toothpaste - I can't recall which. She transfused a pair of rabbits and they were doing fine (I saw them - no obvious problems anyway) for about 2 weeks until a dog got into the hutch and killed them. The dog hauled off the carcasses so she did not get to do a postmortem exam to get a more detailed idea of any specific pathologies.

    1. Re: Interesting, but by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wtf????

    2. Re:Interesting, but by tehcyder · · Score: 1

      Clearly fiction. No one on slashdot has or has had or will ever have a girlfriend.

      --
      To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
  11. Cool and all, but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Why is the National Honor Society concerned with putting synthetic blood in people?

  12. I swear I'm not Sabbat by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yeah I'll turn you dude, just follow me into this alley. Don't worry, now that we have disgusting fake blood you're totally safe.

  13. Precautions against unknown disease by DrYak · · Score: 1

    The same thing can happen with another new disease that they don't know about, which in turn means they aren't screening for.

    That's why most places (at least around here) also screen for behaviours which could end with blood borne disease spreading.

    i.e.: You can't immediately donate blood after having a tattoo done.
    Even if you are HIV negative, there might be another unknown disease that could have spread from improperly cleaned tools.
    Need to way some time (1 year) before starting giving blood again.
    By that time you'll have started showing symptoms and/or news of a new blood borne disease will have been heard.

    --
    "Sufficiently advanced satire is indistinguishable from reality." - [Tips: 1DrYakQDKCQ6y52z6QbnkxHXAocMZJE61o ]
    1. Re:Precautions against unknown disease by KGIII · · Score: 1

      In general:

      Wait at least 8 weeks between whole blood (standard) donations.
      Wait at least 7 days between platelet (pheresis) donations.
      Wait at least 16 weeks between double red cell (automated) donations.

      Tattoos:

      Wait 12 months after a tattoo if the tattoo was applied in a state that does not regulate tattoo facilities. Currently, the only states that DO NOT regulate tattoo facilities are: District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wyoming. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis. Learn more about hepatitis and blood donation.

      A tattoo is acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity using sterile needles and ink that is not reused. Cosmetic tattoos applied in a licensed establishment in a regulated state using sterile needles and ink that is not reused is acceptable. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation.

      Source:

      http://www.redcrossblood.org/d...

      Give blood - it is important. It will likely still be important for a long time. Jehovah's Witnesses can donate money and take plasma. This may have an interesting effect on them, something about an accounting for the blood which they take literally, so it will have to go in front of the elders if this becomes a thing. I once let a couple of elderly Witnesses into my home as they had gone through so much effort I felt that I should reward them. I invited them back a number of times and spent some time learning what they believed in and why they believed the way they do. They never tried to convert me other than through their witnessing, they accepted that I was willing to learn but not going to convert. I would rather not lie to them so I ended up making them feel bad because I never converted. I suspect they are dead now so, well, no worries.

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
  14. What I post's nonsense dave420? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

    "I just reply to you when I see you spamming Slashdot with your nonsense"- by dave420 (699308) on Friday June 19, 2015 @10:31AM (#49945047)

    Why'd you agree w/ my points on hosts then? Quoting you:

    "I'm not denying all those things" - by dave420 (699308) on Wednesday September 17, 2014 @11:39AM (#47927435) FROM -> http://yro.slashdot.org/commen...

    Of course not: It's impossible to dispute HOSTS FILES superiority to other methods!

    Since my points in favor of hosts SINGLE FILE native kernelmode faster part show hosts doing more w/ less vs. so-called 'competitors' many part messagepassing + cpu/ram use overheads laden slower usermode FAR MORE COMPLEX 'solutions' doing less than hosts do for more security, speed, reliability, + anonymity!

    I make creating a superior more efficient solution EASIER!

    (That's more than a mere trolling stalking harassing "ne'er-do-well" like yourself could *EVER* manage).

    ---

    "I'm simply pointing out that it takes an AdBlocker to block your spamming"- by dave420 (699308) on Friday June 19, 2015 @10:31AM (#49945047)

    I bother you? Then WHY DON'T YOU DO IT & use 'em? Answer that!

    (You stalk/harass me instead!)

    OBVIOUSLY you don't & you're a "ne'er-do-well" troll & you have "other motivations" (next):

    ---

    * QUESTION:

    DO YOU WORK FOR AN ADVERTISING FIRM, or ARE YOU A WEBMASTER/WEBCODER http://slashdot.org/comments.p... , or a MALWARE MAKER, or ARE YOU AFFILIATED WITH 1 OF MY COMPETITORS?

    Answer it!

    As per your usual you'll avoid every question, or lie & You've been EXPOSED in your "motives" in the last link just above, lol!

    APK

    P.S.=> See Dave420 the "pot puffing clown" SQUIRM - evasions galore will ensue (as well as effete downmods via sockpuppets to *try* vainly "hide it" -> http://slashdot.org/comments.p... )... apk

  15. What I post's nonsense dave420? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

    "I just reply to you when I see you spamming Slashdot with your nonsense"- by dave420 (699308) on Friday June 19, 2015 @10:31AM (#49945047)

    Why'd you agree w/ my points on hosts then? Quoting you:

    "I'm not denying all those things" - by dave420 (699308) on Wednesday September 17, 2014 @11:39AM (#47927435) FROM -> http://yro.slashdot.org/commen...

    Of course not: It's impossible to dispute HOSTS FILES superiority to other methods!

    Since my points in favor of hosts SINGLE FILE native kernelmode faster part show hosts doing more w/ less vs. so-called 'competitors' many part messagepassing + cpu/ram use overheads laden slower usermode FAR MORE COMPLEX 'solutions' doing less than hosts do for more security, speed, reliability, + anonymity!

    I make creating a superior more efficient solution EASIER!

    (That's more than a mere trolling stalking harassing "ne'er-do-well" like yourself could *EVER* manage).

    ---

    "I'm simply pointing out that it takes an AdBlocker to block your spamming"- by dave420 (699308) on Friday June 19, 2015 @10:31AM (#49945047)

    I bother you? Then WHY DON'T YOU DO IT & use 'em? Answer that!

    (You stalk/harass me instead!)

    OBVIOUSLY you don't & you're a "ne'er-do-well" troll & you have "other motivations" (next):

    ---

    * QUESTION:

    DO YOU WORK FOR AN ADVERTISING FIRM, or ARE YOU A WEBMASTER/WEBCODER http://slashdot.org/comments.p... , or a MALWARE MAKER, or ARE YOU AFFILIATED WITH 1 OF MY COMPETITORS?

    Answer it!

    As per your usual you'll avoid every question, or lie & You've been EXPOSED in your "motives" in the last link just above, lol!

    APK

    P.S.=> See Dave420 the "pot puffing clown" SQUIRM - evasions galore will ensue (as well as effete downmods via sockpuppets to *try* vainly "hide it" -> http://slashdot.org/comments.p... )... apk