India announces successful development of artificial blood.

Indian scientists recently announced the successful development of red blood cells from bone marrow stem cells, which they believe could be used as "artificial blood" for people needing blood transfusions, potentially ending the blood shortage in the country.

Illustrative image. (Source: AFP)

The Times of India quoted Professor Soma Guhathakurta of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), the lead researcher, as saying that the artificial blood will be tested on mice before being tested on humans in 2016.

If successful, the project could provide a large supply of safe and "clean" blood – meaning blood free from pathogens – at half the price of blood currently sold at blood banks.

As the world's second most populous country, India's healthcare system is currently facing a shortage of blood supplies for its hospitals.

According to (VNA) - VT