Yes, a new blood type system, PigZ, and its rare "Gwada-negative" phenotype have been discovered, making it the 48th recognized blood group system, unique to a single woman from Guadeloupe whose blood lacks a specific PIGZ protein, making her only compatible with herself. This breakthrough by French scientists adds to our understanding of human diversity and highlights challenges for rare blood types, potentially leading to lab-grown blood solutions, according to The Conversation.
The discovery of the 48th recognised blood group, called “Gwada-negative”, began when the woman's blood plasma reacted against every potential donor sample tested, including those from her own siblings. Consequently, it was impossible to find a suitable blood donor for her.
First, there are currently 47 known blood groups and 366 different antigens, as of October 2024. That means that a person receiving an O negative donation could still have an immune reaction to any of the other antigens present – although some antigens provoke more of an immune response than others.
The Lutheran blood type is the fifth blood type to be discovered and is now known to have 19 complex antigens in its system. The Lutheran null blood type is extremely rare and to date only about 5 people in the world have been reported to have this blood type.
It's also called Rh null blood, and about 43 people have ever been reported to have it. "The name 'golden blood' can sound like this is blood that's somehow more pure or safe for transfusions,” Dr. Otrock shares. “But that name is just a popular term to convey how rare Rh null blood is.
While the Bible doesn't mention Jesus's blood type, scientific analysis of relics linked to him, like the Shroud of Turin and Eucharistic miracle samples, consistently shows Type AB blood, a rare type, leading some to believe it's a miraculous sign, though skeptics point to potential bacterial contamination.
Studies have found that people with Type A or Type AB are at higher risk for gastric cancer. Additionally, if you have Type A, Type B or Type AB blood, you may have a higher risk for pancreatic cancer.
Said to be the best physicist of the twentieth century, Albert Einstein has been treated as a strange person due to his unbelievable behavior and going at his own pace.It was caused by his blood type "B"!
Golden blood is the rarest kind of blood known in the world. It's also called Rh null blood, and about 43 people have ever been reported to have it. Cleveland Clinic's post. Cleveland Clinic Jul 24, 2025
Famous people with AB blood types include Barack Obama, Marilyn Monroe, Jackie Chan, and John F. Kennedy.
In a survey of German doctors aged >75 years, group O appeared to be associated with longer life expectancy9. Findings of two studies performed on centenarians were contradictory. Blood type B was observed more frequently in 269 Japanese centenarians (29.4%) than in controls (21.9%)10.
Like eye color, blood type is passed genetically from your parents. Whether your blood group is type A, B, AB or O is based on the blood types of your mother and father.
There's good news for O blood types. Research shows your risk of coronary heart disease tends to be lower. Experts aren't sure why. Some think it might be because other types are more likely to have higher cholesterol and higher amounts of a protein that's linked to clotting.
Ichor originates in Greek mythology, where it is the "ethereal fluid" that is the blood of the Greek gods, sometimes said to retain the qualities of the immortals' food and drink, ambrosia and nectar. Ichor is described as toxic to humans, killing them instantly if they came in contact with it.
Blood type B is found in a much higher percentage (four times as often) in self-made millionaires than in the rest of the population.
The new blood group system, that includes this new antigen GWADA, was officially acknowledged and named PIGZ by the Working Party on Red Cell Immunogenetics and Blood Group Terminology at ISBT Milan 2025.
Rare blood types in demand
The Ro subtype is vital for treating sickle cell disorder but only 3% of regular donors have it. B negative is rare in the general population and is often used by hospitals when Ro isn't available. O negative can be given to anyone in an emergency and always in high demand.
H antigen deficiency is known as the "Bombay phenotype" (h/h, also known as Oh) and is found in 1 of 10,000 individuals in India and 1 in a million people in Europe.
Whilst “golden blood” is still part of the Rh system, it is the rarest known type. It is Rh-null: 61 Rh antigens are absent in it. If you're Rh negative, you still have some Rh proteins but you have more missing than you have present. If you're Rh-null, you have none of these antigens at all.
His Most Precious Blood, too, is real human blood, and as such belongs to one of eight different types: A+, B+, AB+, O+, or one of the corresponding negative types. According to available evidence, Jesus' blood is type AB.
These variations have been inherited over millennia, prompting a team of researchers from Aix-Marseille University in France to investigate ancient genomes to explore the evolution of Neanderthals, Denisovans, and early humans with respect to their blood chemistry "Neanderthals have an Rh blood group that is very rare ...
Marilyn Monroe once joked to Albert Einstein, “We could have a baby together—it would be beautiful like me and smart like you.” Einstein smiled and said, “Or it might have my looks and your intelligence.” What neither of them knew then was that Marilyn's IQ was actually 165—higher than Einstein's.
Famous Type AB's: Marilyn Monroe, John F Kennedy, Mick Jagger.
Resource Links. Bloomberg Several studies have now shown that people with blood type O are less susceptible to contracting Covid, and those with blood type A are more likely to get it.
People with type A blood will react against type B or type AB blood. People with type B blood will react against type A or type AB blood. People with type O blood will react against type A, type B, or type AB blood. People with type AB blood will not react against type A, type B, type AB, or type O blood.