UK Science Squad Hoping to Make Blood

In a bid to create a vast reserve of universally acceptable O-negative blood, a team of Scottish scientists is heading up a research project that aims to produce synthetic blood from embryonic stem cells.

BBC:

Teams will test human embryos left over from IVF treatment to find those destined to develop into the universal “O-negative” blood donor group.

O-negative blood can be transfused into anyone without fear of tissue rejection and is the only safe option when a patient’s blood group is unknown or not immediately available.

This precious blood is in limited supply because only 7% of the population belongs to this blood group.

The Wellcome Trust is understood to have promised £3 million towards the cost of the multimillion-pound project, with further funding coming from the blood transfusion services of Scotland, and England and Wales.

The Irish government is also believed to be involved.

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