Knowing what we do about numerous other changes to red blood cells that evolved as a mean to avoid this deadly disease, scientists are considering the real possibility that malaria (and potentially other diseases) gave early humans’ blood groups the push they needed to evolve.** What’s more, some modern studies seem to suggest that those with type O blood group may be less susceptible to severe disease with malaria. Researchers have noted that type O seems to have evolved before humans migrated from Africa and is particularly prevalent in areas known as malaria endemic regions. Some of the most convincing evidence we have on this topic lies in the study of malaria, particularly one of the most deadly versions, Plasmodium falciparum. In terms of why humans have different blood types to begin with, a few hypotheses have been proposed, one of the most popular of which suggests that blood types evolved to allow greater immunity against early diseases. So, we know when blood types were discovered, but, you may be wondering, where do our blood types actually come from, both on an evolutionary and an individual scale? With doctors knowing nothing about blood types…, their patients’ survival rested entirely on the odds of receiving compatible blood,” as blood from an unlike donor would often mean the patient’s body wouldn’t accept the donation.* While it took years before his discovery was widely known and influential in medical practice, it no doubt did and continues today to save lives. As you can imagine, this discovery was revolutionary in that, before science on blood groups was integrated into patient care, “…many transfusions ended disastrously. After a series of tests - for which he later won the Nobel Prize - Landsteiner confirmed the existence of blood types A, B and O, with the discovery of type AB following a few years behind. In fact, it wasn’t until 1900 that a young researcher in Vienna, Karl Landsteiner, proposed the possibility that some blood reacted poorly to others, not because one set (the recipient) was contaminated by bacteria or illness, but because there may be inherent differences in people’s blood makeup. And doing so is only natural since your blood type is an important factor in dictating what blood product you’re best suited to donate - and, consequently, what type of patients you might be supporting.įor many years, however, this identification by blood type wasn’t possible. While all blood donors are united by the same general donation experience and, typically, the same passion for supporting others in the community, we naturally tend to distinguish ourselves by our blood types. Newsletter Archive 2002-2019 (LifeLink)īy Krista Thomas, Communications Strategist, with medical support and expertise from Dr.
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