"GRAINS of rice have been genetically modified by scientists in China so they can produce a key component of human blood to supplement blood donations.
The protein, extracted from rice plants containing human genes, could be used in hospitals to treat burn victims and help patients who have suffered severe blood loss.
The scientists behind the research say it will provide a plentiful and safe alternative to products from human blood donations, which are in short supply due to falling numbers of donors, and get around the need to screen for diseases such as HIV and hepatitis."
"Gavin Murphy, a consultant in cardiac surgery at Bristol Royal Infirmary and university lecturer, said: ''This is ground-breaking stuff, but so far they have only validated it in rats. The real test will be to show it is safe in humans.''
See link for the full article.
So my questions are:
1. Would you prefer to risk not having a transfusion (low supply of your type of human originated blood donation) than have something derived from genetically engineered material? e.g if you had an advance health directive, would you state that you do not want treatment using GE origin products?
2. Would the fact they test on rats also be a factor for avoiding GE origin blood products? e.g if you are vegan, would you be for or against these kinds of blood products - seeing as they initially have to test it on animals?
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