Is artificial blood a viable alternative?

June 20, 2019

In an emergency, blood shortages are a recurring problem. The main problem is that the blood can not be kept for more than forty days. That’s why regular big campaigns are launched to encourage people to donate. But science could provide a more viable long-term solution through artificial blood. Where are we in terms of viability and use on the public? What are the advantages and disadvantages ?

Science and medicine are compatible, the better they help each other. This is not new. Just think of the robot surgeon Star who during a test last May has done better than most surgeons. can artificial blood fulfill this same function? At present, we are still in the experimental stage. No laboratory has been able to create artificial blood with the same functions as human blood. From the fight against infections to the transport of oxygen, these essential functions for our bodies represent serious challenges. But the benefits, the disappearance of the risk of contaminated blood or problems of compatibility of blood type are worthy of interest.

Several types of artificial blood

Neohemocytes

It is a product intended to replace natural blood and it has been developed by researchers in California. It is based on artificial erythrocytes (red blood cells). Its main advantage is that it can be kept longer, about six months, but is eliminated faster by natural red blood cells.

Stem cell-based

The procedure was tested in 2011 by Professor Luc Douay, hematologist at Saint Antoine Hospital (Inserm-UPMC). The idea is to inject red blood cells created from human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from a human donor. Starting from these stem cells, researchers have succeeded in producing billions of red blood cells in the laboratory, with the help of specific additives called “growth factors”. If the result is convincing, technological progress is still needed before thinking about large-scale production.

The Hemopure

It is a substitute of animal origin, since it comes from beef. It contains purified hemoglobin, which does not contain membranes around the globules, which makes it possible to avoid rejection reactions. By its very origin, it can not really be considered artificial blood.

Fluosol

Designed in Japan, it was first used for people refusing blood transfusion for ethical or religious reasons. It can not be sufficient on its own, it must act in addition to the blood naturally produced by the human body. Its particles are smaller than red blood cells, allowing it to pass through small blood vessels faster. It can store a lot of oxygen, so the patient has to inhale more. But it has a big disadvantage. It inhibits the immune system, making it more vulnerable to viruses and diseases. For this reason, it is today mainly used to oxygenate organs before a transplant.

Artificial blood soon viable in Britain?

It is on this trail that British doctors have relied to develop one of the most promising projects at this time. The public health services have developed an artificial blood that would be impossible to distinguish human blood. Scientists will now move from laboratory research to volunteer testing. This artificial blood is grown from stem cells and umbilical cord. During the testing phase, small amounts will be injected into volunteers to ensure that this is not a problem.

However, doctors do not see it as intended to replace human blood. It is rather a complement in case of shortage of artificial blood. The main financial reason. While a donation does not cost anything, the development in the laboratory explodes the costs.