Inside ‘Golden Blood’: The Race To Grow the World’s Rarest Blood Type
Most people know that some blood types are rarer than others. AB negative is the rarest of the eight major types, but what many don’t realize is that those common categories barely scratch the surface. Scientists have identified dozens of blood group systems ? and one blood type so rare that fewer than 50 people on Earth are known to have it.
This extraordinary type is called Rh-null, often referred to as “golden blood.” Only about one in 6 million people is estimated to carry it. That rarity alone is striking, but what truly sets Rh-null apart is what it doesn’t have: all the antigens of the Rh system. No other known blood type lacks every Rh marker ? not even O negative, which, despite its reputation as the “universal donor,” still contains hundreds of antigens that can trigger dangerous immune reactions in people with unusual blood profiles.
The Rh factor plays a major role in determining blood compatibility. If a transfusion contains antigens that a patient’s body doesn’t recognize, their immune system may attack the new blood, causing serious or life-threatening complications. Because Rh-null has none of the Rh antigens that most often cause these reactions, it can be safely received by almost anyone with any Rh variation. That makes it one of the most medically valuable blood types ever identified. But there’s a catch: people with Rh-null blood can only receive blood of the same type, leaving them extremely vulnerable in emergencies. They are encouraged to store their own blood for future use ? a risky and unsustainable solution. It also means hospitals can’t merely give out Rh-null blood to those needing compatible blood.
Scientists are now racing to change that. Research teams in the U.K., U.S., Canada, and Spain are using tools like CRISPR-Cas9 to engineer blood cells that mimic Rh-null or other rare types. If they can grow fully mature red blood cells in the lab (a process the body performs easily, but labs struggle to replicate), it could lead to truly universal blood for transfusions.
Yesel Kang Copy Editor teen/1764893129/1613367750
1. How does the process of growing mature red blood cells in a lab differ from natural production in the human body?
2. Why is Rh-null blood compatible with almost anyone with different Rh variations, yet extremely limited for its own donors?
3. What strategies are scientists using, including CRISPR-Cas9, to replicate Rh-null or other rare blood types in the laboratory?
4. What are the potential medical and ethical implications of successfully creating lab-grown Rh-null or universal blood?
1. Where in your life do you think knowledge of rare blood types could make a difference in emergencies or healthcare decisions?
2. Which parts of this research inspire you personally to think about health, science, or helping others?
3. How would you feel if you found out that you or your family member has an extremely rare blood type like Rh-null?
4. Have you thought about how scientific advances like CRISPR-Cas9 might change medicine in the future?
Most people know that some blood types are rarer than others. AB negative is the rarest of the eight major types, but what many don’t realize is that those common categories barely scratch the surface. Scientists have identified dozens of blood group systems ? and one blood type so rare that fewer than 50 people on Earth are known to have it.
