|
|
Article: Viable human blood substitute found?(Circulatory System)
- Article from:
- USA TODAY
- Article date:
- February 1, 2008
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2008 Society for the Advancement of Education. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Every three seconds, someone, somewhere in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion, and one in three people will need a blood transfusion in his or her lifetime. In developing countries, an average of 25% of blood in blood banks is contaminated. In the U.S. and Canada, about two percent of banked blood cannot be used due to expiration.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
The need for a viable source of usable blood is strong. For years, hematologists have longed for a suitable blood substitute, also known as a "synthetic oxygen carrier." An ideal blood substitute would eradicate the risk of disease transmission, most notably HIV and hepatitis; be compatible with all blood ...