Medicine: Capsules: Nov. 16, 1981

TRANSFORMING BLOOD

Of the four blood groups in humans, type O is the most useful in transfusions. Unlike other blood types—A, B and AB—O can be safely given to nearly everybody.

Thus a person with O blood has been dubbed the universal donor. Though 45% of the population are group O, the supply of donated O blood on hand is often not enough to meet needs. If it were possible to convert blood from the other three groups to type O, however, that supply would be dramatically increased. Researchers at the New York Blood Center have taken an important step toward that goal....

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!