Blood is frequently linked with life, vitality, and health—but can you believe there is such a rare blood type that has been called golden blood? In transfusion science, golden blood is not just a figurative description. It describes a real, ultra-rare blood type–Rh-null–and only a small handful of people on Earth are known to have it.

This article will examine everything you need to know about this interesting biological phenomenon- what golden blood is, who has it, how rare it is, and why it is considered so valuable.

What Is Golden Blood?

Golden blood, or Rh-null blood in a scientific sense, is a blood type that does not possess all 61 antigens possible in the Rh system. Most people are familiar with blood types that indicate the presence or absence of certain antigens: either A+, O-, B+ blood types, etc. The Rh system itself is one of the most significant of these blood group systems and the D antigen (pos./neg.) is arguably the most well-known.

But golden blood is a whole other level – it is not just Rh-negative. Golden blood is completely null of all Rh antigens.

Why Is It Called Golden Blood?

The term “golden” in Golden Blood does not refer to the color of the blood—golden blood is not golden in color. It looks like every other red blood. The term is figurative, referring to the very rare and potential life-saving aspect of this blood type. For someone with an equally rare Rh-null condition, receiving a transfusion from another Rh-null donor could lead to life and death.

Rh-null blood can be transfused to anyone who has deficiencies with Rh-related antigens, making it highly sought for any transfusion in a complex scenario. Thus, it is as valuable as gold!

When was golden blood discovered?

It was first discovered in 1961 in an Aboriginal Australian woman. Medical researchers at the time were shocked to discover that her red blood cells were completely missing all 61 antigens present in the Rh blood group system, making her blood type the rarest known blood type in the world. Although it was a fascinating discovery and challenged their understanding of blood group systems; it also opened up new areas of clinical practice in dexterity in immunohaiematology. After the discovery of Rh-null blood, fewer than 50 people have since been discovered with this ultra-rare blood type, which is also why it is colloquially referred to as golden blood; in critical transfusions, it could be a lifesaver.

Which Blood Type Is Golden Blood?

Golden blood is not a kind of O, A, B, or AB blood type. Instead, it is not having any Rh antigens. Golden blood can technically be any ABO group—the Rh-null status is what makes it golden. So in response to someone asking “is O negative golden blood?”—the answer is no. O negative does not have only the D antigen, but not all Rh antigens.

How Rare Is Golden Blood?

This blood is categorized as the rarest blood type in the world, it is believed that less than 1 in 6 million people have Rh-null blood. In a number of reports, only about 43 people have been verified to have it, and only 9 of those were active blood donors. That gives you a sense of how rare, and valuable, the blood actually is.

Who has Golden Blood?

Rh-null blood has been identified in individuals of different ethnicities and continents, from Australia to Europe. Rh-null blood does run in families, so that suggests it is genetic. If both parents have the mutation for Rh-null, there is a chance their child could have golden blood as well.

Is It Possible to Have Golden Blood?

Only humans have what’s known as “golden blood”, an extremely rare blood type called Rh-null. It occurs because of a genetic mutation to the RHAG gene, which is important in the expression of the Rh antigens on red blood cells. If the RHAG gene is not present, then no Rh antigens are present – therefore, you would now be considered Rh-null, or you would have golden blood.

Is golden blood harmful?

Golden blood is not harmful in itself, you can live full, normal, and healthy lives with Rh-null blood. There is a high risk if you were to require a blood transfusion though. Since Rh-null blood does not express any Rh antigens, your body would reject any donor blood because there are very few donor blood that has the same blood that matches.

Can golden blood be donated to anyone?

Rh-null blood can be donated to most individuals with a rare Rh-subtype of blood, which is why it is considered a valuable blood type within the blood bank system. However, it is not considered a universal blood donor type like O-negative blood is, you would still have to match the donor blood to blood type AB0 compatibility. Also, it is rare so the blood type is only used when needed.

Can Anyone Donate Blood to A Person With Golden Blood?

On the flip side, a person with golden blood can only receive blood from another Rh-null donor. This complicates medical emergencies and adds to the need to keep a close network of Rh-null donors around the world.

How Do You Know if You Have Golden Blood?

The only way to distinguish if you have golden blood is through specialized blood testing. Generally, blood donation centers do not test for Rh-null because of its rarity. If you are noticing very different reactions after receiving transfusions or have known genetic traits related to Rh-null, your doctor may refer you for specific testing.

What Does Golden Blood Do?

Like any blood, golden blood does not perform any superhuman functions in your body. It is not more powerful or have more capability than regular blood. Its worth is as a universal blood donation option for people with unusual Rh antigen characteristics. It can be an invaluable donation in emergencies

Is Golden Blood Genetic?

Yes. Golden blood is a genetic condition that is passed down through families when both parents carry the recessive gene mutation on Rh antigen expression.

How Much is Golden Blood Worth?

You cannot buy or sell blood in most countries, including for golden blood. Rh-null blood is considered medically priceless. Transporting Rh-null blood across borders for a single patient has cost tens of thousands of dollars in emergency situations. Rh-null blood is stored in exclusive blood banks and often has to be flown internationally under strict protocols.

“My Golden Blood” and Cultural Influence

You might have seen the phrase “My Golden Blood”, or “Golden Blood the series” trending and circulating the internet lately. This is because of a Thai BL drama called My Golden Blood, which includes the mystery of rare blood with supernatural storytelling and other storytelling devices. While the show is purely entertainment, the show’s golden blood is fictional and not scientifically based on Rh-null.

Conclusion

So, is golden blood a factual phenomenon? Yeah. Is anyone capable of having golden blood? Yes—but only a small handful of people globally. This unique blood type is one of the most remarkable developments in the medical sciences and illustrates the complexity and diversity of humanity’s biology.

If you’re interested in your blood type, or trying to figure out any way to learn if you have golden blood, you might be chatting with a professional. If nothing else, while the odds are very slim, maybe knowing your blood type will help save a live one day—or, even your own.

Whether you want to use the terms we may relate to as, golden blood, or Rh-null; to the rarest blood in the world – this is definitely something to marvel at and respect in terms of science.

Read about: How the Internet Changed the Way We Grieve, Love, and Connect?