Bovine Blood May Help Emergency Patients
Protein Used To Make Synthetic Blood
POSTED: 4:59 p.m. EDT May 6, 2002
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Scientists are using a protein found inside bovine blood to create a synthetic blood for human use.
The Cambridge, Mass., company Biopure has created a product called Hemopure that may be used to treat patients at hospitals and other trauma centers in the future.
Hemopure requires that the protein molecule hemoglobin be removed from bovine blood. The product is then purified and bacteria and viruses like HIV, hepatitis and agents that cause mad cow disease are removed, according to the report.
The synthetic formula could help patients in need.
"It has value and could add diversity of treatment, especially in trauma care, Central Florida Blood Bank spokesman Mike Pratt said.
Bovine blood is being used in South Africa in adult surgery patients, according to the report. However, in the United States, Hemopure has only received Food and Drug Administration approval on a case-by-case basis.
Regulators require that Hemopure be as safe as human red blood cells before it receives approval.
The Cambridge, Mass., company Biopure has created a product called Hemopure that may be used to treat patients at hospitals and other trauma centers in the future.
Hemopure requires that the protein molecule hemoglobin be removed from bovine blood. The product is then purified and bacteria and viruses like HIV, hepatitis and agents that cause mad cow disease are removed, according to the report.
The synthetic formula could help patients in need.
"It has value and could add diversity of treatment, especially in trauma care, Central Florida Blood Bank spokesman Mike Pratt said.
Bovine blood is being used in South Africa in adult surgery patients, according to the report. However, in the United States, Hemopure has only received Food and Drug Administration approval on a case-by-case basis.
Regulators require that Hemopure be as safe as human red blood cells before it receives approval.
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