A.I.D.S.-free Blood Clotting Agent Found (Press, 27 November 1984)

On 27 November 1984, scientists in Britain and the United States announced a significant breakthrough in the production of a blood-clotting agent for haemophiliacs, which is guaranteed to be free of the A.1.b.5. virus, associated with AIDS. While promising, the new product is projected to take two to five years before it becomes commercially available, as clinical trials are still needed. The achievement centres on the cloning of Factor 8, a critical blood-clotting agent that many haemophiliacs rely on to prevent potentially fatal bleeding episodes. Currently, around 3,000 of the 4,000 haemophiliacs in Britain depend on regular doses of Factor 8, which is traditionally extracted from pooled blood donations, putting them at risk of infections like AIDS and hepatitis. These risks have been highlighted by recent tragedies, including the death of Terence McStay, a 33-year-old haemophiliac who was not a homosexual, from AIDS after using Factor 8. The cloning process allows for a safer and unlimited supply of Factor 8 as it isolates and amplifies the gene responsible for producing the clotting factor, completely circumventing the dangers of blood-borne viruses associated with donor blood. Dr Frances Rotblat from the Royal Free Hospital in London, where part of this research took place, expressed optimism over the new method, underscoring the potential to provide a reliable and safe source of Factor 8. Prominent figures in the field, including Dr Charles Rizza from Oxford's haemophilia centre, cautioned that while the cloning of Factor 8 is promising, extensive clinical trials are vital to ensure that no new risks replace the current dangers of AIDS. A recent study highlighted the seriousness of ongoing risks as it found that a third of haemophiliacs had developed antibodies to AIDS, indicating previous exposure, although only a minority of those exposed are likely to develop the disease. In response to the pressing need for safer products, starting from next April, all British-produced Factor 8 will undergo a treatment process designed to inactivate the AIDS virus. However, this new procedure is expected to diminish the clotting efficacy of the product, underscoring the significant challenges still facing haemophilia treatment. Overall, while the advances in cloning technology represent a monumental step forward, the need for rigorous testing and monitoring remains essential to safeguard the health of haemophiliacs. The scientific community is hopeful that these innovations will revolutionise treatment options in the coming years.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand