(H/T – lawhawk)
The Times of London reports a group of researchers in Massachusetts have finally found a use for embryonic stem cells – the “mass-production” of red blood cells. Yes, it’s actually useful:
– It eliminates the threat of bloodborne diseases for those that require only red blood cells versus whole blood or plasma.
– Depending on just how many cells are produced per embryo (not noted in the story), it could make economic sense.
– Adult red blood cells do not have nucleii, and thus do not carry the genetic material that typically goes haywire to cause cancer, and this procedure currently yields 66% adult blood cells.
Before you death-cultists start yipping that this is solely an embryonic stem cell breakthrough, do note that this technique has not been tried with adult stem cells.
