Lab grown blood may save lives

Blood's fresh lease on life - 5th December 2022

Human trials of lab grown blood have been launched by scientists at the UK's National Health Service. This offers groundbreaking new prospects for patients living with sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia blood conditions, especially those with rare blood types.

The trials involve lab grown blood being administered to volunteer patients in small quantities via a syringe, with subjects then being observed for any noticeable side effects.

Individuals with thalassemia, who struggle to produce haemoglobin, depend on regular blood transfusions, a need which exacerbates the suffering of those with rarer blood types, such as AB negative. In the US, where a mere one percent of the population is AB negative, blood for transfusions is hard to come by, making lab grown blood a viable alternative.

But how can blood be cultured in a lab? With roughly 470 millilitres of donated blood, equipment uses magnetic beads to separate stem cells from other blood elements; in special lab conditions these cells are then multiplied and converted into red blood cells.

This grown blood’s likely to be more potent than donor blood, according to Consultant haematologist at Cambridge University Hospitals, Prof Cedric Ghevaert. He affirmed: 'If our trial is successful, it will mean that patients who currently require regular long-term blood transfusions will need fewer transfusions in future.'

Since the lifespan of red blood cells is typically 120 days and a blood donation contains both newer and older cells, some cells die earlier - whereas lab grown blood, which is made up of all new blood cells, would result in fewer transfusions being required.

This revolutionary study could have huge implications for sickle cell anaemic patient Toks Odesanmi, who's endured two hip replacements, an ankle bone being fused and a liver transplant as a result of the blood disorder. Each transfusion means 'a fresh lease on life' for Toks.

'Hope is one thing we'll hold on to, hope is all we have' an optimistic and resilient Odesanmi maintains.

A spokesperson cautioned that it may require a 5 to 10 year timeframe for lab grown blood to be proven safe, effective and available for everybody.