Science working to create blood substitutes


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Scientists are working on synthetic replacements for blood. But many attempts have failed to meet safety standards.

In real life, people in distress need artificial blood, and scientists are working on several synthetic concoctions that could stand in for the crucial body fluid.

Every year, 4.5 million Americans receive lifesaving transfusions, according to the New York Blood Center, and 1 in 3 people will need blood at some point in their lifetime.

But real blood has many inconveniences. It requires refrigeration, which means ambulances can't stock it and medics can't administer it on the battlefield. It goes bad after 42 days. Donor blood must be compatible with the patient's blood type. And some people refuse transfusions — Jehovah's Witnesses, for instance, believe the Bible forbids them.

Although the U.S. blood supply is fairly safe and steady, that's not the case everywhere. In sub-Saharan Africa, the World Health Organization estimates that 44% of women who die in childbirth succumb to blood loss. The WHO also reports that in 41 countries, some blood isn't screened for HIV, hepatitis and syphilis, putting recipients at risk of developing serious infections.

Nearly half of the liquid is made up of red blood cells, which pick up oxygen in the lungs and deliver it to the rest of the body. The fluid also contains white blood cells, which patrol the body to fight infection, and platelets, which form clots to make wounds stop bleeding. In addition, there are numerous proteins and chemicals that regulate blood pressure, transport nutrients and perform many other vital functions.

The 100% man-made blood substitutes are based on chemicals called perfluorocarbons, or PFCs. They can stand in for red blood cells because they dissolve oxygen, just as water dissolves sugar. Then they can carry oxygen as they flow throughout the body.

The chemicals travel through the blood as tiny droplets that absorb oxygen in the lungs and drop it off in the tissues. The more oxygen available the better, so recipients often breathe oxygen-rich air from a tank as part of their treatment.

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Blood is amazing stuff.

We probably don't appreciate it, until we are in dire straights.

I imagine they will come up with a good solution in 100 years.

Stay tuned.

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Well, until this major breakthrough is made, keep donating!

Protip: There is absolutely no reason (other than medical disqualifications) everyone shouldn't donate blood as often as possible. Afraid of needles? Grow up. Get queasy around blood? Look away. Any other excuses? ...grow up.

DONATE!

On Topic: Cool story.

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