Artificial blood will help patients with leukemia
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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At the Murdoch University of Technology (Australia), a team of specialists created artificial blood. The scientists reported on the successful completion of the experiment on growing blood cells from the stem cells in the laboratory. This discovery allows us to hope that in the future all patients who need blood transfusion will be able to freely receive it.
Scientists managed to create a type of cells that is completely identical to the precursors of blood cells (such cells are found in embryos). The unique technology of creating artificial blood lasts about 3 weeks, about the same as in the period of embryonic development. According to scientists, the success of their work also lies in gene analysis. The researchers were able to establish that there is a genetic difference between the blood that is obtained in the laboratory and the blood from the umbilical cells, which is precisely this difference that allowed scientists to move further in their studies - they were able to make the cells grow in the right direction.
As a result of this large-scale work, it was possible to create blood cells that are completely suitable for transfusion in leukemia or if there are no coincidences in bone marrow transplantation. A unique technology can be used to create a variety of types of blood cells.
It should be noted that the creation of artificial blood, however, as well as of artificial organs, causes a mixed reaction in society, especially among religious communities, who consider such studies as contradictory to God's laws and natural laws.
Not so long ago in England, a group of believers opposed the tests created in the laboratory of blood on volunteers. According to them, such experiments contradict the laws of nature, and a person should not stand for established boundaries. The reason for the scandal was the study of English scientists who developed the technology of creating artificial blood and announced their intention to test it in 2017 in public.
According to the researchers, the blood they create is not intended to replace real blood in the human body, but only helps the body cope with certain violations, when its own blood ceases to cope with the prescribed functions. But, in spite of this, believers continue to oppose such experiments.
Studies in the field of creating artificial cells and human organs have been going on for a long time. Among the many developments highlighted the work of Stanford scientists, who together with researchers from the Valencia Institute created artificial sperm from skin cells. According to scientists, adult cells can be programmed and create stem cells, similar to embryonic cells.
A month later, after scientists changed the genetic code of skin cells, they managed to get adult germ cells, but only not capable of fertilization. According to experts, they intend to continue working and in the future will be able to create full-fledged artificial sex cells. It is worth noting that in many countries genetic experiments are prohibited by law, but most researchers are sure that it is behind these works is the future of medicine and the opportunity to help infertile couples.
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