UMKC scientist tests fluid made of common ingredients to stop bleeding
A researcher at the University of Missouri-Kansas City claims the mixture is superior to traditional transfusions for patients in hemorrhagic shock.
By Rebecca Foster ·
A doctor and research scientist at the University of Missouri-Kansas City is testing a new fluid designed to replace blood transfusions for patients who lose blood rapidly. The scientist states the treatment is made from ingredients commonly found in grocery stores.
The researcher describes the new mixture as "better than blood." He developed it to address severe trauma cases, such as car crashes or gunshot wounds, where patients risk bleeding to death. Current medical standards rely on blood transfusions to stop hemorrhagic shock, but the scientist argues his alternative offers a distinct advantage.
The development targets a specific gap in emergency care. When a patient suffers severe blood loss, doctors currently administer donated blood to maintain circulation. The UMKC scientist proposes that his synthetic fluid can perform the same function without the need for donor units. He presented the findings to a local television program that investigated the method's potential to ease national blood shortages.
The scientist did not specify the exact ratio of grocery list items used in the fluid. He also did not provide data from clinical trials or name the hospital where the treatment is being tested. The local news outlet aired the segment on a program that also covered local community stories, including a Virginia nonprofit that has packed 8,500 boxes of clothing for children.
Other segments on the same broadcast featured Rhodes College professors teaching at the West Tennessee State Penitentiary. The program also profiled two brothers, Bobby and Lance Snyder, who have worked at Charlotte Douglas International Airport for a combined 80 years. These stories aired alongside the medical report, which focused on the scientist's claim that his discovery could change how trauma centers manage bleeding patients.
The scientist’s assertion that the treatment is superior to blood rests on his internal testing. He has not published a peer-reviewed study in a major medical journal, according to the news report. The local broadcast framed the discovery as a potential solution to persistent blood supply issues in the United States.
The fluid is intended for acute trauma care rather than long-term management. The scientist emphasized the speed of the treatment in emergency settings. He stated that the mixture is stable and easier to store than cold-packed red blood cells. No other major medical institution has yet announced plans to adopt the UMKC scientist's protocol.
