All Blood Converted to Type O? 206
UnanimousCoward writes "The BBC is reporting that scientists claim to have discovered a technique to convert all blood into Type O with the discovery of an enzyme that can strip the A and B antigens. This has implications to transform the stored blood supply into transfusable blood for all. It does not address the RH negative issue, however."
Adolescent humor (Score:1, Insightful)
No RH, no problem... for me. (Score:5, Insightful)
OK, so not everyone would be a universal recipient, but most people would be. 85% of the US population (apologies to the international community.
Synthetic Blood (Score:3, Insightful)
Provided with the proper nutrients couldn't we keep a cell alive and dividing to have an unlimited supply?
Something I didn't know before that I learned from the article: Anyone can receive type O blood without risk.
Great post!
Re:O negative, eh? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Half solution (Score:5, Insightful)
Is half a problem not a problem?
Breakthrough? (Score:2, Insightful)
A couple of answers... (Score:5, Insightful)
My day job is to run a blood bank.
The enzymes discussed in the article are the next step in 25+ years working toward the goal of making blood universally compatible. The enzymes are years and years away from routine use, if they ever do make it to market. Offhand, major questions that need to be addressed include: Does it *really* work? Is the process cost-effective at manufacturing scales? Is it safe? Does the enzyme affect other proteins so people make antibodies?
Conversion of non-O RBCs to group O RBCs will make them more widely compatible, and may alleviate the shortage of group O RBCs, but does not affect Rh compatibility or the compatibility of platelets or of FFP. We would still have shortages of these products even when the process is up and running, and, so, we still need people to donate.
There are a number of guesses, comments, and half-truths posted above. I'll do my best to answer specific (on-topic!) questions posted as replies to this comment.
Teidou.
Re:Uh oh... (Score:3, Insightful)
All the more reason to round up the superstitious idiots in the world and turn them into an organ bank.
Re:In the Meantime (Score:2, Insightful)
Do you thing having a cash incentive to lie is likely to make more people tell the truth about whether they are eligible or not?
If you need a transfusion, do you want the unit that came from the junkie who lied on the form so they could get something to eat that day?
The safety of the blood supply goes way down when you start paying people, that's why it's not allowed in the US.
Anyone who "donates" and gets paid, the plasma isn't going to people, it goes to make cosmetics and stuff.
Re:Synthetic Blood (Score:3, Insightful)