The constant blood crisis and the low number of donors that many medical units complain about could be solved if scientists manage to come up with a method of creating blood out of human stem cells. Experiments and trials have been conducted at various research institutes worldwide, and so far, only an immature stem cell blood version could be produced. Research is in the early stages and the blood cells obtained by such means may never be adequate to substitute blood donation. If science proves successful, this will also be a victory against the many diseases that often infest donated blood.
The fact that one day mankind could produce blood in laboratories seems quite distant and unlikely in some people’s opinion. So far, only speculations can be made in relation to stem cell blood because experts cannot say whether their research will prove an incremental step forward or just another project without perspective or clear safe finality. Medical units continue to encourage and support blood donation because it remains the only possibility for surgery, transplants and other interventions. Stem cell blood formation will continue to be supported in several laboratories worldwide, and money will continue to flow towards such experimental institutions.
Another issue worth analyzing in relation to stem cell blood is not the artificial production of this vital human fluid, but the collection of the umbilical cord blood that is very rich in stem cells. The practice has become pretty extensive and more and more parents are convinced that by storing their baby’s stem cells, they insure a future treatment in the eventuality of an irrecoverable illness. The main problem here is directed against private stem cell blood banks that that have transformed blood collection and storage into a lucrative business.
The fact is that no one can guarantee a treatment that is still in the experimental stages. Yes, the potential provided by the rich umbilical stem cell blood could be infinite, but research has not reached final conclusions. You may be paying a lot of money for the storage of the stem cells and in fact there is a chance that they won’t prove useful when it comes to be implemented for treatment. The controversy will not be over too soon, and stem cell blood still makes a major issue and pivotal element related to stem cell research conducted all over the world.