Blood Drives - A Thing of the Past?

Blood shortages and drives may a thing of the past if the technology developed by Advanced Cell Technology proves to be commercially viable. The research company, based in Worcester, Massachusetts, announced they have found a way to produce synthetic human blood. By using embryonic  stem cells, the company has discovered a process that could be used to make unlimited amounts of blood. 

The technology has to be tested, but if the process stands up to scrutiny doctors won't have to worry about blood types or pathogens being transmitted when they give transfusions. Researchers have tried to create synthetic blood in the past, but haven't succeeded. Critics worry that Advanced Cell Technology's announcement is premature, but the company has produced useful discoveries, although none have been commercially feasible.   

(Originally reported by Wired.)