The US military’s race to make fake blood
DARPA is funding research into synthetic, shelf-stable blood substitutes to address critical shortages in military and civilian trauma care. The initiative aims to reduce preventable deaths caused by hemorrhage on the battlefield and in emergency settings.
Why it matters
Developing synthetic blood could revolutionize trauma medicine and significantly decrease mortality rates in scenarios where traditional blood supplies are unavailable.
DARPA is funding a redoubled effort to develop a shelf-stable substitute for what field medics and trauma doctors need most: more blood.
In February 2007, the hulking dual-rotor casualty evacuation helicopter had just flown three wounded soldiers to a field hospital in Balad, north of Baghdad, when another call came: an emergency mission to fly through an insurgent-controlled area in broad daylight. Typically, helicopters would be in a spot like this only at night, and with all lights turned off.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in