Lead researcher Stephen Withers said his team discovered enzymes living in the human gut that can change blood into universally usable Type O. That could prevent immune reactions when patients receive the wrong type of blood...
The origin of the enzyme is an unpleasant one: it was first gathered from genetic material found in faecal samples.
Withers stressed, however, that the enzymes actually used on blood would not come from such a place. "The enzyme we produced has actually never seen a faecal sample in its life," he said....
Safety is the main focus of further testing, Withers said, as the blood created with the technique has never been used.
He estimated that, barring any setbacks, O-type blood created with the enzyme technique could be ready for use in medicine in five to 10 years.
