Rh null blood, also known as Rhnull blood, is a rare and unique blood type that is considered to be the rarest in the world. People with Rh null blood are missing all Rh antigens, which are proteins found on the surface of red blood cells. This means that their blood cannot be categorized under any of the main blood types, such as A, B, AB or O, making it incredibly valuable for medical research and transfusion purposes.
Rhnull blood was first discovered in 1961, when an Aboriginal Australian woman was found to have a rare blood type that could not be categorized using the standard blood typing tests. Since then, only around 40 people worldwide have been identified as having Rhnull blood. The rarity of this blood type has led to it being referred to as the "golden blood" or "blood of the gods".
The importance of Rhnull blood lies in its ability to be used in medical research and transfusions. People with Rhnull blood are universal donors, which means that their blood can be given to anyone in need, regardless of their blood type. This is because the blood does not contain any Rh antigens that could trigger an immune response in the recipient's body. However, people with Rhnull blood can only receive blood from other Rhnull donors, as any other blood type could potentially cause a severe immune reaction.
In addition to its use in transfusions, Rhnull blood is also valuable for medical research. It has been used to study the effects of various diseases and disorders on the body, as well as to develop new treatments and therapies. Researchers are particularly interested in studying the unique properties of Rhnull blood, as it could hold the key to unlocking new insights into the human immune system.
Despite its value, Rhnull blood is incredibly rare and difficult to find. It is estimated that only one in every 6 million people has Rhnull blood, making it more valuable than gold. Due to its rarity, the blood is often stored in blood banks for emergency use only, and is carefully guarded to ensure that it does not become contaminated or lost.