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That last paragraph is really sad... Nic 57/15 On Tue, Mar 24, 2009 at 12:11 AM, rayilynlee <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > British scientists 'to create synthetic blood from embryonic stem cells' > British scientists are planning a ground-breaking research project to > create synthetic human blood from embryonic stem cells, it has been > disclosed. > > By Murray Wardrop > Last Updated: 7:10AM GMT 23 Mar 2009 > > The results could provide an unlimited supply of blood for emergency > transfusions free of the risk of infection. > It could revolutionise blood transfusion services, which currently rely on > a network of human donors to provide a constant supply of fresh blood. > > The three-year project will be led by the Scottish National Blood > Transfusion Service and includes NHS Blood and Transplant and the Wellcome > Trust, the world's biggest medical research charity. > > The artificial blood will be made from the stem cells of human embryos left > over from IVF treatment. > Researchers will test the embryos to find those that are genetically > programmed to develop into the "O-negative" blood group. > > This is the universal donor group, whose blood can be transfused to any > patient without the fear of tissue rejection. > > The rare blood group, which is applicable to only 7 per cent of the > population, could then be produced in unlimited quantities because of the > embryonic stem cells' ability to multiply indefinitely. > > The objective is to stimulate the 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. > > The SNBTS is expected within weeks to sign an agreement with the Wellcome > Trust for a grant to fund the multi-million pound research project. > > A spokeswoman for the SNBTS confirmed that the research project was to go > ahead but said that no further comment could be made because it was bound by > a confidentiality agreement with the Wellcome Trust. > > According to The Independent, the project will be led by Professor Marc > Turner, of Edinburgh University, the director of the Scottish National Blood > Transfusion Service. > > Professor Turner has been involved in studies examining ways to ensure > donated blood is free of the infectious agent behind variant CJD, the human > form of "mad cow" disease. > > Last year, Advanced Cell Technology, a US biotechnology firm, claimed it > had produced billions of functioning red blood cells from embryonic stem > cells. > > However, US projects have been delayed due to funding problems as a result > of the ban on embryonic stem cell research introduced by the Bush > administration, which Barack Obama has since overturned. > > Rayilyn Brown > Director AZNPF > Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation > [log in to unmask] > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto: > [log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn