European stem cell research scientists are in a fix over whether their latest invention will be subject to the court ruling on embryonic stem cells. The latest entrant in the list of embryonic stem cell is synthetic red blood cells that are able to transport oxygen in the body.

In research funded by the Wellcome Trust Medical Research Charity, scientists have found a way to develop large volumes of red blood cells from stem cells. This blood could be used in transfusions.

The team of researchers have been able to create oxygen carrying red cells and are looking for ways to produce it on a larger scale. They fear that because there are no patents on embryonic stem cell inventions, private investors may be vary of venturing into this field. Also because of the ruling the scientists might have to start working with derived stem cells.

Edinburgh University’s Professor Sir Ian Wilmut, the man responsible for cloning Dolly the Sheep said, “Unfortunately it will make it less likely that companies in Europe will invest in the research to develop treatments to use embryonic stem cells for treatment of human disease.”

Under the trust funded research scientists are trying to create blood that is compatible with O rhesus negative blood group because 98% of individuals’ bodies accept this blood group but only seven percent of the people in the world have this blood group.

According to Marc Turner who is leading the research the entire program would take another 12 to 18 months before red cells of suitable quality are used in trials.

If the trials prove successful then this artificially produced blood would be of great value in healthcare. This blood will be especially useful in cases of emergency and where there are no blood banks.

Using this blood will reduce the spread of HIV, hepatitis and other diseases that can be transferred through blood transfusion.