AN IMPLANT that treats the blood of haemophiliacs should free patients from
the need for constant injections and the associated risk of diseases such as
HIV.
Haemophiliacs lack one of two vital blood-clotting agents called factors VIII
and IX. Without these factors their blood cannot clot and they may bleed for
longer than normal after the smallest accidents. Traditionally, they are given
injections of the missing factor. This must either be purified from donated
blood, risking virus contamination, or made artificially, which is extremely
expensive—at a cost of up to $100 000 a year, according to cell
biologist Harvey…
