Blood for everyone!

[Darat]

This story caught my eye (hope it's not an April Fool!):

http://www.nature.com/news/2007/070326/full/070326-17.html

Scientists have discovered enzymes that can efficiently convert blood groups A, B and AB into the 'universal' O group — which can be given to anyone but is always in short supply.

...snip....

It's just entering clinical trials but I thought this is one of those really exciting "behind the scenes" advances that never seem to get the attention it should. (Instead front pages are given over to "X divorces Y" )

 

[skeptifem]

SWEET! I hope it works!

 

[Dogdoctor]

Since when did X divorce Y? LOL yeah that's a great thing if it works out.

 

[Eos of the Eons]

The newly discovered bacterial 'B' enzyme is nearly 1,000 times more efficient then the coffee-bean B enzyme — the additional discovery of an enzyme to remove A antigens means that all blood types can now be converted. The work is reported in Nature Biotechnology3.

That sounds promising! I had no idea such a thing was even possible. Thank you for the chance to learn something new and intersting.

 

[Solus]

I hope it isn't a joke and is real. That could be immensely helpful in the future.

 

[Taffer]

I saw this on my newfeed this morning, and it looks very interesting. If it does indeed work, it will save so many problems in the future.

 

[enjoytheview]

This story caught my eye (hope it's not an April Fool!):

I doubt it would be an April Fool, it seems too elaborate. April Fools tend to be ridiculous, childish things, such as switching usernames so that they read backwards.

 

[I less than three logic]

Looks like great news for O types in need of blood or AB types who'd like to give blood, and every one in between as well. Good news all around. Thanks for the link Darat.

 

[CFLarsen]

Any comments from Dracula?

 

[Blank]

Hope so..

Having O neg, I get frequent invites to donate blood. I just hope the other fortunate ones get to share the work load sometimes.

 

[The Great Hairy One]

If it is not a hoax, it's too new to have caused the usual blood websites to update their info as yet. Might have to wait a few days to see if the news propagates around the world.

Note that the news article is still up there, and there have been no "Aprils Fools" jokes, so it is likely to be true.

Edit:
Found this
http://www.smh.com.au/news/WORLD/Universal-blood-closer-to-reality/2007/04/03/1175366194526.html
http://www.smh.com.au/news/science/...type-conversion/2007/04/02/1175366158389.html

Cheers,
TGHO

 

[Prospero]

This is right up there on the Cool Meter with the Israeli army's use of freeze-dried blood capable of being rehydrated in the field for emergency transfusions using the soldier's own blood.