Artificial blood created from stem cells could be tested within two years, suggest Edinburgh and Bristol university researchers, who have made billions of red blood cells from stem cells taken from bone marrow and say the process could provide industrial-scale quantities of blood.

The scientists believe it will transform transfusions by preventing hospital shortages, and save thousands of lives on battlefields and at the scene of car crashes. Heart transplant, bypass, and cancer patients would also benefit from having a guaranteed supply of blood on hand for their surgery.