by Carlhole » Sat 07 Aug 2010, 17:45:04
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Carlhole', '[')url=http://singularityhub.com/2010/08/04/arteriocyte-produces-artificial-blood-sends-to-fda-for-approval/#more-19345]SH[/url]
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I')n the wildly popular HBO show “True Blood”, the creation of synthetic blood allows vampires to join the human society as they no longer need to feed on real, human blood. And while vampires are still only found in the fictional world, artificial blood is making its way into the real world. Known somewhat morbidly as “blood pharming”, this idea looks promising as a viable alternative to producing human blood without the human!
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'O')k, so what’s the good news? Two years ago, DARPA awarded a $1.95 million grant to a Cleveland company called Arteriocyte, which was developing technology that could quickly transform stem cells into red blood cells. The idea was to develop a system that could produce an almost limitless amount of universal donor blood (O-negative) in remote areas. And earlier this month, Arteriocyte submitted samples of their artificially produced blood to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), seeking approval before making the technology available to both the civilian and military sectors. While we have reported attempts by other companies to produce artificial blood, Arteriocyte is clearly ahead of the pack.
Sooner or later, Science will be able to produce optimally DNA-sequenced sperms, eggs and provide an artificial womb for them to grow in. What are people going to DO with themselves?