Will blood modification help US soldiers cope with extreme environments?

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Pentagon's top research arm, is looking at ways to modify red blood cells in new ways to help the US military increase its ability to control the battlefield environment.

The US project, also known as the "red blood cell factory," is looking into research involving the introduction of "bioactive components" or "micronutrients" into blood cells. The goal of the project is to modify the cells to "allow recipients, such as soldiers, to function more effectively in dangerous or harsh environments," according to Business Insider .

US soldiers participate in training at Novo Selo base (Bulgaria)

DARPA has not yet conducted human or animal experiments, only studies on blood bags. Christopher Bettinger, a biomedical engineering professor who oversees the program, said the research is foundational, but could allow scientists to determine how red blood cell mutations might evolve over time.

Bettinger hypothesizes that the research could impact how the military fights diseases that thrive in red blood cells, such as malaria. Another potential use of the modified cells is to prevent bleeding from trauma, including battlefield wounds.

According to Business Insider , researchers were also able to modify red blood cells in a way that allows the drug to last longer without requiring soldiers to take it daily. Depending on the dosage, the drug could protect a person for weeks or months instead of just 24 hours.

"Each red blood cell survives in the blood for about four months and reaches almost every organ in the body," said Samir Mitragotri, a professor of bioengineering at Harvard University. Their prevalence and relatively long lifespan are part of why red blood cells are such an attractive target for scientists.

Mr Mitragotri said the cells cannot change too much, thus speeding up the body's digestion process. Such advances in bioengineering could be a game changer in areas such as infectious disease and cancer, which require long-term drug treatments. Mr Mitragotri said this is a very promising field.

US military researches "skeleton" for "super soldiers"

For years, the US military has been studying the benefits of biofeedback technology to better understand mental and physical health. There is now a growing body of research on its ability to improve physical performance through a variety of avenues of effort.

In 2019, the US Army released a report, “Cyborg Soldier 2050,” detailing how the military is thinking about a future where soldiers could benefit from things like neural and optical enhancements, though the report also acknowledged the ethical and legal concerns surrounding such possibilities.

Not only the US, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China has long recognized the strategic importance of biotechnology, engaging in extensive collaboration with domestic biotech giants. The extensive network of partnerships has resulted in research with potential military applications, including efforts to enhance the physical and cognitive capabilities of Chinese soldiers, according to Business Insider .

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bien-doi-mau-se-giup-binh-si-my-duong-dau-moi-truong-cuc-doan-185250123141251763.htm