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

posted by janrinok on Thursday June 25 2015, @07:23PM   Printer-friendly
from the drop-of-the-red-stuff dept.

kaszz writes:

The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK plans to test artificial blood [Ed Note: Security Certificate Warning] 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, UK 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.

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  • (Score: 4, Informative) by physicsmajor on Thursday June 25 2015, @07:30PM

    by physicsmajor (1471) on Thursday June 25 2015, @07:30PM (#201185)

    The word synthetic is literally defined as "not of human origin." Sometimes 'human' is substituted for 'natural' to broaden the scope a little. Either way, though, this fails the test. From the headline I expected akin to the SmartBlood in Old Man's War. This stuff is not synthetic any more than a fetus is synthetic; it's grown.

    They starting with stem cells, then convincing them to multiply and turn into RBCs. RBCs don't have nuclei or DNA, so in theory they should be among the safest cells to transplant - this is why if you get a transfusion, nobody is worried about graft vs. host disease. However, they do carry antigens (this is your blood type) which can have nasty side effects.

    Artificial or synthetic blood would be created from whole cloth via an independent process. Something which holds and release oxygen as well as hemoglobin.

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  • (Score: 4, Insightful) by takyon on Thursday June 25 2015, @07:59PM

    by takyon (881) <takyonNO@SPAMsoylentnews.org> on Thursday June 25 2015, @07:59PM (#201201) Journal

    ^ Subject reply bug

    Meh at the definition of "synthetic".

    "Artificial" may be the worse word to use. Artificial brings to mind blood substitutes that aren't created with stem cells or cells at all. Here's something interesting:

    http://archive.wired.com/medtech/health/news/2004/04/62955?currentPage=all [wired.com]
    http://www.wired.com/2007/05/controversial_b/ [wired.com]
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_substitute [wikipedia.org]

    Northfield Laboratories came under scrutiny for the Phase III trial they conducted in over 20 level 1 trauma centers across the country. The controversy arose from the fact that the participants in this study were incapable of giving their consent due to the nature of their injuries. Even though this practice is sanctioned by the FDA as necessary emergency research, patients’ rights groups have begun to protest the study.

    In April 2009, Northfield Laboratories announced receipt of an FDA letter regarding its PolyHeme Biologic License Application (BLA) for the treatment of life-threatening haemoglobin levels when red blood cells may not be available. The BLA was not approved, and the letter stated "in the absence of clinical benefit, the risk:benefit assessment of the product in trauma is unfavorable.” [23] In June 2009, Northfield Laboratories filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

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  • (Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday June 25 2015, @07:59PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Thursday June 25 2015, @07:59PM (#201202)

    Keldo just arrived in front a live audience to perform a speech, and it's being broadcasted on international television. What is the speech about? Well, Keldo just mentioned the name "physicsmajor", and his voice was filled with ridicule...

  • (Score: 2) by zeigerpuppy on Thursday June 25 2015, @09:57PM

    by zeigerpuppy (1298) on Thursday June 25 2015, @09:57PM (#201243)

    I agree, "cloned blood" would be more apt and accurate.

  • (Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday June 25 2015, @10:27PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Thursday June 25 2015, @10:27PM (#201258)

    Semantic blood, however, is available right now.