Slate Daily Feed What Next | Could Artificial Blood Save Lives?
Aug 28, 2025
Nicky Twilley, a reporter for The New Yorker and host of the Gastropod podcast, dives into the revolutionary field of artificial blood. The discussion reveals the pressing need for synthetic blood alternatives to address blood supply challenges, particularly in emergencies. Twilley highlights promising advancements in synthetic red blood cells, like erythrimer, which could save thousands of lives annually. The podcast also touches on the cultural significance of blood and the hurdles faced in biomedical innovations, making for a thought-provoking exploration of life-saving technology.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Reporter Tastes Synthetic Blood
- Nicky Twilley drank a shot of synthetic blood in a lab and described it as like a raspberry smoothie with a tangy, salty finish.
- She used the experience to introduce the lab racing to create a human blood replacement funded by the Department of Defense.
Why Synthetic Blood Would Be Transformational
- Real human blood is limited by short shelf life, typing requirements, and fragile components like platelets.
- A universal, freeze-dried synthetic could be reconstituted on demand and reach people who currently die waiting for blood.
Blood Is More Like An Organ
- Blood functions more like a living organ than a passive fluid, performing oxygen transport, immune monitoring, hormone delivery, and homeostasis.
- Losing those complex functions quickly after hemorrhage gives patients only minutes to live without effective replacement.