Artificial blood

Artificial blood, produced in large quantities, would remove the need for blood donors[?]. It could also be equipped with special properties, like the ability to transport an increased amount of oxygen, which would be useful for someone who suffered massive blood loss. Artificial blood would also most likely have a universal blood type, so it can be used on anyone.

Apart from attempts to create blood by genetic engineering, work is being conducted on nanotechnology-based blood.

The United States Army is experimenting with varieties of dried blood, which takes up less room, weights less and can be used much longer than blood plasma. These properties make it ideal for first aid during combat. Water has to be added prior to use.

External links

• Respirocytes: A Mechanical Artificial Red Cell (http://www.foresight.org/Nanomedicine/Respirocytes1)