The first successful human-to-human transfusion occurred in 1816, and thereafter it increasingly became the accepted surgical procedure, constant improvements being sought. But in the course of the twentieth century new challenges began to be the focus: how to assure a constant supply, how to keep it fresh, how to have the full range of types available at all times and in all places, how to protect against contamination.

The dream transformed into finding a blood substitute. That is a goal worthy of me, Dr. Klensch Roule thought. What was needed was a universal blood substitute that could be used on every patient regardless of blood type, a substance that needed no refrigeration, that was cheap and easily obtainable. Some researchers concentrated on transforming animal blood. Others on manufacturing a substitute by manipulation of DNA. What is worthy of me? Dr. Klensch Roule pondered.

A promising breakthrough came when French researchers genetically engineered a tobacco plant to produce functioning human hemoglobin. Now the possibility of getting blood from a plant was opened up, and new scientific alchemists hurried in search of the new hematic panacea! Dr. Klensch Roule was foremost among them.

He saw his opportunity! Through genetic manipulation, he would develop a plant that could be the universal blood donor that researchers dreamed of. It would be a blessing to all humankind. But even more, it would assure that a Nobel Prize would assuredly be bestowed upon him, accolades, fame, a stature in medical history unequalled since Galen.

I know what to do, he enthused. He would be the first person to get blood from a turnip!