Artificial blood created from stem cells could be tested on Britons within two years。
The scientists behind the research, which could provide industrial scale quantities of blood, believe it will transform transfusions by preventing hospital shortages, and save thousands of lives on battlefields and at the scene of car crashes。
Heart transplant, bypass and cancer patients would also benefit from having a guaranteed supply of blood on hand for their surgery。
The man-made blood would be free of infections that have blighted natural supplies and could be given to almost everyone regardless of blood group。
The hope comes from Edinburgh and Bristol university researchers who have, for the first time, made thousands of millions of red blood cells from stem cells – “master cells” seen as a repair kit for the body – taken from bone marrow。
Edinburgh University’s Professor Marc Turner predicts that in two to three years, he will be ready to inject a teaspoon of man-made blood into healthy volunteers, in the first British trial of blood from stem cells。
Within 20 years, it may be possible to produce two million pints of artificial blood a year – enough to satisfy the nation’s medical needs. Any embryonic stem cells used would be taken from four or five-day-old embryos left over from IVF treatment and donated to the research project。