Neanderthals might have made good blood donors

At least two of the extinct, ancient humans had type O blood, making them the "universal donor", according to a new genetic analysis of remains of 45,000 year old individuals. "If you needed a blood transfusion, you could get it from these Neanderthals," says Carles Lalueza-Fox, a geneticist at Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain, who led the study. That's not to say all Neanderthals were type O – others may have also boasted genes for the A and B blood types, which encode enzymes that sprinkle red blood cells with two different sugar molecules, Lalueza-Fox says. Type O blood is the result of a mutant form of the same enzymes. Humans – and Neanderthals – with two O genes have type O blood.

Not for me, says the Pooch Hound. I'd take blood from a Labrador, or a German Shepherd, Collie or Doberman. But, a hairy Geico Man? Nope! Let me die.
Pooch Doggy Dog

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16386-neanderthals-might-have-made-good-blood-donors.html?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=life

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