Scientists to create synthetic blood

Vampires in the TV hit <i>True Blood</i> enjoy synthetic blood. In the real world it could have major benefits in the health system. Photo / Supplied

Scientists in Britain plan to become the first in the world to produce unlimited amounts of synthetic human blood from embryonic stem cells for emergency infection-free transfusions.

A major research project is to be announced this week that will culminate in three years with the first transfusions into human volunteers of "synthetic" blood made from the stem cells of spare IVF embryos.

It could save the lives of anyone from victims of traffic accidents to soldiers by revolutionising the blood transfusion services, which have to rely on human donors to provide a constant supply of fresh blood.

The deal involves National Health Service Blood and Transplant, the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service and the Wellcome Trust, the world's biggest medical research charity. The researchers will test human embryos left over from IVF treatment to find those that are genetically programmed to develop into the "O-negative" blood group, the universal donor group whose blood can be transfused into anyone.

This blood group is relatively rare, applicable to about 7 per cent of the population, but it could be produced in unlimited quantities from embryonic stem cells because of their ability to multiply indefinitely in the laboratory.

The aim is to stimulate embryonic stem cells to develop into mature, oxygen-carrying red blood cells for emergency transfusions. Such blood would have the benefit of not being at risk of being infected with viruses such as HIV and hepatitis.

But developing blood made from the cells of spare IVF embryos will raise difficult ethical issues for people not happy with the idea of destroying embryos to create stem cells. It also raises the intriguing philosophical question of whether the synthetic blood will have come from someone who never existed. In theory, just one embryo could meet the nation's needs.

The Wellcome Trust is believed to have promised 3 million ($7.7 million) for the project, with further funding coming from the blood transfusion services of Scotland, and England and Wales. The Irish Government is also understood to be involved.

- INDEPENDENT