Grains of rice have been genetically modified by Chinese scientists so they produce a key component of human blood in an attempt to supplement blood donations.
The protein, extracted from rice plants containing human genes, could be used in hospitals to treat burn victims and help patients who have suffered severe blood loss.
The scientists behind the research claim it will provide a plentiful and safe alternative to products from human blood donations, which are in short supply due to falling numbers of donors, and get around the need to screen for diseases such as HIV and hepatitis.
Currently in Britain around 1.6 million pints of blood are needed every year, but just 4% of the eligible population donate. Donated blood is separated into three components - red blood cells, platelets, which are used to aid blood clotting, and plasma, which is mainly made up of a protein called human serum albumin and is given to patients suffering heavy blood loss.
By growing the genetically modified rice, the researchers claim human serum albumin could be mass-produced for use in hospitals.
Dr Daichang Yang, the scientist who led the research at Wuhan University in central China, said: "Human serum albumin is an important protein. The demand for it is more than 500?tons per year worldwide. A rice seed bioreactor could provide an economical and safe approach for the production of non-animal derived compounds."
The team is also working on genetically modified rice that produces proteins that are similar to insulin for use in treating diabetes.
Gavin Murphy, a consultant in cardiac surgery at Bristol Royal Infirmary and a senior lecturer at the University of Bristol who studies the impact of blood transfusions on patients, said the research had the potential to revolutionise the supply of blood products for use in hospital: "This is ground-breaking stuff, but so far they have only validated it in rats. The real test will be to show it is safe in humans.
"With this approach they will be able to produce blood proteins on a huge scale that would solve all of the supply issues we currently face."
