Time to Establish a Comprehensive Framework for the Industrial Use of Human Blood Resources
10.17945/kjbt.2025.36.3.1 7 6
- Author:
Duck CHO
;
Sungmin PARK
;
Jin Sung JANG
;
Kyeong-Hee KIM
- Publication Type:Opinion
- From:Korean Journal of Blood Transfusion
2025;36(3):176-181
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
With the advancement of regenerative medicine, the demand for immune cell–derived blood components such as leukocytes is increasing. However, Article 3 of South Korea’s Blood Management Act prohibits financial compensation for blood donation. Moreover, nonconforming blood units, leftover specimens, and discarded leukocytes remain unavailable for commercial use. This study examined the current use of donated blood components, the potential application of leukocytes, regulatory barriers in producing reagent red blood cells, and donor compensation policies in countries such as the United States and Germany. We propose the establishment of a legal framework that enables the selective industrial use of cellular resources for therapeutic development, with safeguards in place to ensure adherence to ethical standards and the safety of donors. Such reforms could enhance the competitiveness of Korea’s bioindustry and expand access to novel therapies for patients with intractable diseases.
