The Evolution and Prospects of Blood Transfusions: A Look at Traditional and Artificial Sources
Jimmy Vielkind
Published 3 months ago
The Quest for Artificial Blood: Ensuring a Constant Supply of Lifesaving Oxygen Carriers
The world's health systems are no different from Dracula in their relentless demand for fresh supply - namely, blood. Every two seconds in the United States alone, someone requires a blood transfusion. With the global population aging and donor pools shrinking, researchers have stepped up their efforts to develop artificial blood as a sustainable and efficient alternative.
The Ancient Origins of Blood Transfusions
The importance of blood to human health was likely keenly observed by our most ancient ancestors. However, it wasn't until nearly 3,000 years ago that physicians started attempting to address the issue of blood shortages. Their solutions were not as advanced as today's blood transfusions and were far from successful, as evidenced by the horrifying first-ever transfusion recorded near the end of the 17th century. Conducting the transfusion in Paris, Professor Jean-Baptiste Denis treated a feverish young patient with either dog or lamb's blood [1].
The scientific community has made remarkable strides since then. The first human-to-human transfusion, completed by obstetrician James Blundell in 1818, was considerably more successful though still limited in scope due to the challenges of blood type compatibility. Even today, undergoing a blood transfusion is a much safer procedure - and we have one man to thank for that: Karl Landsteiner [1].
In 1901, Landsteiner discovered the ABO blood group system based on antibodies present on the surface of red blood cells, which provided the basis for modern blood typing methods. The ABO system allowed for lifesaving transfusions, ensuring that only certain combinations could be successfully given and received.
The Challenges of Modern Blood Transfusions
Although blood transfusions have become commonplace in modern medicine, they still face significant hurdles. For instance, donated blood has a short shelf life, and maintaining enough of each blood type, even the rarest ones, is extremely challenging. In Japan, blood donation is twice as popular as in the United States, but an aging population is causing the pool of eligible donors to shrink, while the elderly cohort, which tends to need blood transfusions more urgently, is growing [2].
As a result, researchers are seeking innovative alternatives to meet the escalating demand for blood and address the limitations of traditional blood transfusions.
The Emergence of Artificial Blood
One promising solution is synthetic blood, which offers a stable, universally compatible, and long-lasting blood substitute. In the United States, for instance, investigators are pinning their hopes on ErythroMer, an entirely artificial blood product, which could provide the advantages of universal compatibility and storage at room temperatures [4]. The product resembles a raspberry milkshake in appearance and is far from palatable for human consumption.
In Japan, researchers have begun clinical trials of a new "blood" product made by extracting hemoglobin from expired donor blood and encasing it inside a protective shell [4]. This method provides an intriguing possibility in emergency situations, where blood type information is not readily available, as the resulting synthetic blood cells lack blood type. Preliminary trials have suggested some promise, with no notable side effects reported [5].
While the path to making artificial blood a practical, reliable option is still long, researchers are cautiously optimistic about the initial results. If successful, artificial blood could revolutionize the blood supply system, providing a sustainable, safe, and easily accessible supply that addresses both the high demand in high-income countries and the constraints faced by their low-income counterparts.
[1] Anesthesia History Association, https://anesthesiahistory.org/[2] Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/[3] Science Museum, https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/[4] New Yorker, https://www.newyorker.com/[5] Nara Medical University (English), https://en.nara-med.ac.jp/[6] UK National Health Service (NHS), https://www.nhs.uk/[7] RESTORE Trial, https://www.restoretrial.org/
- Researchers are aggressively working on developing artificial blood as a lasting and efficient alternative to address the global challenge of blood shortages in public health.
- The scientific breakthrough of the ABO blood group system by Karl Landsteiner in 1901 laid the foundation for modern blood typing methods, enabling successful blood transfusions.
- The emerging field of medical-health science is investigating artificial blood substitutes, such as ErythroMer in the United States, to overcome the limitations of traditional blood transfusions, including incompatible blood types and short shelf life.
- In the pursuit of health-and-wellness solutions, Japan is conducting clinical trials on a protective shell-encased hemoglobin, derived from expired donor blood, as a potential emergency artificial blood solution for fitness-and-exercise lovers and those in need of blood transfusions alike.
