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The last word

19 February 2000

Group therapy

Question: Why have humans developed different blood types and is there an
evolutionary advantage? Surely, if blood types are due to random mutations, one
will be a better performer in general terms than the others? And why can’t
different types be used for all patients requiring transfusions?

Answer: There are four blood types: A, B, AB and O. These designations refer
to the types of sugars (A, B and O) found on the surface of red blood cells.
Everyone on the planet has an O sugar, and those who have no other type are
known as blood group…

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