Lab-grown blood given to humans aimed at combatting rare disorders

For the first time blood grown in a laboratory has been transfused into humans in a landmark clinical trial, which according to researchers could significantly improve treatment for people with rare blood types and blood disorders.

In the UK two patients received tiny doses of lab-grown blood in the first stage of a wider trial designed to see how it reacts inside the body. This trial will now be extended to 10 patients over several months. It aims to study the lifespan of lab-grown cells compared with infusions of standard RBC.

According to the researchers, the aim of lab-grown blood is not to replace regular human blood donations. The new technology could allow scientists to make very rare blood types that are difficult to source but which are very important for people who depend on regular blood transfusions for conditions such as sickle cell anemia.

The research on lab-grown blood was conducted by researchers in Cambridge, London, and Bristol, as well as NHS Blood and Transplant. They focused on red blood cells that carry oxygen to the rest of the body from the lungs.