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adaptable blood?

Comment comment by SOthought on 18 May 2007

would this artificial blood be compatible with all blood types? If so, then the medical field would be revolutionized. If not, what are the current conditions if one had to be infused with this artificial blood/ side-effects?

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RE: adaptable blood? by scottb :: NR7

There's no reason it shouldn't be. Blood types indicate the presence of antigens in the blood. There are two types of antigen, called A and B. If a person who has Type-A blood receives a transfusion containing Type-B or Type-AB blood (which have the B antigen), their body will produce antibodies that attack the B-marked cells.

Type-O blood contains neither antigen, which is what makes it suitable for transfusing to anyone, hence it's the "universal donor". Type-AB blood already has both antigens present, so no immune response is triggered, meaning it can tolerate tranfusions of any type, hence it's the "universal recipient".

Artificial blood wouldn't naturally have any antigens, so it should be suitable for any recipients.

Posted 18 May 2007, Hide, Parent, Reply