The history of blood transfusion is a fabulous human adventure in the course of which intentional and fortuitous conjunction of medical and scientific know-how has resulted in the birth of a new medical discipline. Following a detailed description of the discoveries in the field of transfusion, this book deals with all the questions that will determine its future including safety, emerging biotechnologies, cell and tissue engineering. It concludes by considering the evolution of transfusion in its sociological, ethical and cultural context ending with a vision for the future.