Introduction to Transfusions and Transplants

Introduction

Not too long ago, taking one person’s blood or organs and putting them inside of someone else would be thought of as science fiction.
Blood transfusions have been around for a very long time, but before the 20th century, they were almost always fatal.
Organ transplants have been around for a long time too, but before the last century they almost always ended in disaster and were considered science fiction. How did we become able to swap our failing organs with new ones from other people or animals?
In this resource, we’ll explore why our body rejects these lifesaving treatments, how we can sometimes overcome this and what we have to look forward to in the near future?

Objectives
• Begin to understand the ABO blood system
• Begin to understand transfusion and transplants