What Next | Daily News and Analysis Could Artificial Blood Save Lives?
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Aug 28, 2025 Nicky Twilley, a reporter at The New Yorker and host of the Gastropod podcast, dives into the fascinating world of artificial blood. She discusses the dire need for blood alternatives due to its short shelf life, especially in emergencies. The podcast highlights breakthroughs like erythrimer, a promising synthetic blood substitute showing remarkable recovery in animal tests. Twilley also explores the cultural significance of blood and the historical journey of blood transfusions, shedding light on the relationship between culinary advancements and medical innovation.
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Reporter Drinks Synthetic Blood
- Nicky Twilley drank a shot of synthetic blood that tasted like a salty raspberry smoothie.
- She drank it while visiting a lab developing blood alternatives funded by the Department of Defense.
Blood's Shelf-Life Is A Hidden Crisis
- Blood has a very short shelf life and complex handling needs, limiting supply and distribution.
- Nicky Twilley estimates at least 30,000 preventable deaths annually from delayed or unavailable transfusions.
Blood Acts More Like An Organ
- Blood functions like a living organ with roles beyond oxygen transport, including immunity and regulation.
- Treating blood as an organ explains why replicating it synthetically is so challenging.