During the early years of the AIDS epidemic, thousands of Americans became infected with HIV through the nation's blood supply. Because little reliable information existed at the time AIDS first began showing up in hemophiliacs and in others who had received transfusions, experts disagreed about whether blood and blood products could transmit the disease. During this period of great uncertainty, decision-making regarding the blood supply became increasingly difficult and fraught with risk. This volume provides a balanced inquiry into the blood safety controversy, which involves private sexual practices, personal tragedy for the victims of HIV/AIDS, and public confidence in America's blood services system. The book focuses on critical decisions as information about the danger to the blood supply emerged. The committee draws conclusions about what was doneâ€"and recommends what should be done to produce better outcomes in the face of future threats to blood safety. The committee frames its analysis around four critical area: Product treatmentâ€"Could effective methods for inactivating HIV in blood have been introduced sooner? Donor screening and referralâ€"including a review of screening to exlude high-risk individuals. Regulations and recall of contaminated bloodâ€"analyzing decisions by federal agencies and the private sector. Risk communicationâ€"examining whether infections could have been averted by better communication of the risks.

The theme of this 14th International Symposium on Blood Transfusion is closely related to the work and scientific contributions of the Dutch cryobiology pioneer Dr. Herman W. Krijnen of the Dutch Red Cross Central Laboratory. Dr. Krijnen was known and respected in the national and interna tional blood transfusion community as an extremely competent scientist and a beloved and admired colleague. Dr. Krijnen was intentionally honoured with the invitation to open this symposium on cryopreservation and low temperature biology in blood transfusion and be the guest of honour at this event. Unfortunately, Dr. Krijnen suddenly died on the first of June 1989. In honour and mem ory of Dr. Krijnen this symposium will therefore be dedicated to him. Since the lOth International Symposium on Blood Transfusion in 1985 highlighted the theme of "Future developments in blood banking", major changes have occurred in the blood banking world. Most of these changes were forced upon the Blood Banks by the fear of spreading AIDS through contaminated donations. This not only led to the wide spread testing of blood, but also to a more appropriate counselling of the community and the blood donors in specific. Additionally, virus inacti vation techniques were introduced for those components derived from multiple donations and intended for a regular transfusion in haemophi lia patients and others.

"Blood transfusion is a life-saving intervention that has an essential role in patient management within health care systems. All Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) endorsed World Health Assembly resolutions WHA28.72 (1) in 1975 and WHA58.13 (2) in 2005. These commit them to the provision of adequate supplies of safe blood and blood products that are accessible to all patients who require transfusion either to save their lives or promote their continuing or improving health." --Preface.

“Both authors have dealt in an authoritative way withthe still rapidly expanding specialty and the eleventh edition ofthe book will be of the greatest value to all who are interested inthe scientific and practical aspects of blood transfusion inclinical medicine.” From the Foreword by Professor P.L. Mollison Highly respected, long-established book that has become the"bible" in transfusion medicine Why Buy This Book? Provides a sound basis for understanding modern transfusionmedicine Definitive reference source for any clinician involved withpatients requiring transfusion and for all staff working intransfusion services, immunohaematology laboratories and bloodbanks Highly practical advice on management issues for theclinician Completely revised and updated to reflect the rapid pace ofchange in transfusion medicine Written by two of the world's leading experts in the field

Plasma fractionation and blood transfusion are inherently linked. Blood bankers need to have a sincere interest in fractionation and purification techniques in order to understand the need for carefully controlled source material collection and initial processing. Developments point to a shift in technology, implementation and application of plasma fractions to be produced, such that early anticipation from both bloodbankers and fractionators in a joint interest and effort are needed. As usual there is good news and bad news. We are referring in that respect to the exciting presentation about the future of bloodbanking. Although the blood donor still plays a major role in bloodbanking, new technologies could terminate the conventional blood transfusion service in the next 20-40 years. Sooner or later DNA technology will play an important role in bloodbanking and bloodbankers will have to deal with cultivated red cells as a replacement of our donor blood. Several fractionation techniques like column chromatography, controlled pore glass chromatography, heparin double cold precipitation technology and polyelectrolite fractionation are available, which may result in better yields for some of the plasma proteins. These techniques are likely to replace in part the old Cohn fractionation in the near future.

This book deals with the cellular and plasma components of blood and describes the various procedures for their separation/fractionation. Coverage is also extended to the principal cellular elements of blood and the major plasma proteins that are used clinically. Also, detailed consideration is given to the testing for and inactivation of viral contaminants of blood.