Subscribe now

Letter: Young blood

Published 3 September 2014

From Thor Simpson

Helen Thomson writes that transfusions of young blood may help treat age-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s and heart disease (23 August, p 8).

Given that there are about 2 million blood transfusions in the UK every year, and that the blood services and hospitals keep detailed records, could the research benefit by analysis of this existing data?

There are a large number of variables, but even if only the transfusions that were required for a physical loss of blood were considered, there should still be a huge number to work with.
Oxted, Surrey, UK

Issue no. 2985 published 6 September 2014

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop