Artificial BloodBy: Trevor Bernier

What is it? Clinical trials are available

in the U.S., Europe, and South Africa

Used to mirror the functions of biological blood

Carries oxygen

Alternate to blood transfusion Eliminating the human to

human transfer of blood

Uses Acts like red blood cells to

transport oxygen

Can be derived from red blood cells of humans or animals

Gets its oxygen carrying properties from perflourocarbons

Advantages and Disadvantages Demand for blood

transfusions is rising

No chance of HIV or other blood transmitted diseases

Army medical care

Lasts longer in storage

May cost less in the future

Currently more expensive

May increase chance of heart attack

FutureUse stem cells to produce blood

Add functions to the artificial blood such as things that will replace white blood cells, platelets, and blood proteins

Bring down the cost to be less than blood transfusions

Works Citedhttp://www.doctortipster.com/6734-artificial-blo

od-could-be-available-for-transfusions-in-just-two-years.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/83218

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/5488067