Blood donors may be thing of the past

A scientific breakthrough could mean the end of having to give blood within the next decade.

Scientists from the University of Minnesota plan to set up blood banks using the grown blood.

Experts today hailed the research as having huge potential for the future of medicine.

"This is a hugely exciting area," said Professor Nicholas Fisk of Imperial College, a leading stem cell expert.

"With talk of blood shortages and worries of vCJD in the blood supply this could have massive potential," he said.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota were able to grow blood cells using stem cells taken from a human embryo.

They have already created a technique which is believed could be used to produce large quantities.

"We think within five years we will see an end to blood shortages," said Professor Dan Kaufman who led the research at the University of Minnesota.

"We are around two years away from clinical trials of this, and at least five years away from potential therapies. But this is a big step forward. It is simply another example of what stem cells can do. I think we will see stem cells containing neurons for use in treating brain disorders, for instance."

The team used embryonic stem cells taken from discarded IVF embryos. These have the capability to grow into any cell in the body. Adding chemicals causes them to form into blood cells.

"This is completely normal, clean blood and we don't think there will be any problems with the immune system rejecting it. We can create different blood types," said Professor Kaufman.

"We are effectively growing blood to order. It takes three to four weeks and we think we will be able to create large enough quantities to set up a central store. We can then distribute this to the Red Cross or whoever needs it."

He also hopes to create a central store of bone marrow to treat leukaemia sufferers.

Paul Travers of leukaemia charity The Anthony Nolan Trust said that the research could revolutionise some surgical procedures.

A spokeswoman for The National Blood Service said: "Anything that helps to maintain the blood supply in Britain is a good thing."