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| World's Rarest Blood Type "Gwada Negative" Officially Recognized—Only One Person Has It. |
Did you know that scientists have just confirmed the existence of a brand new blood type—the 48th known to science? Even more amazing, only one person in the entire world is known to have it. This ultra-rare blood type has been named Gwada Negative, inspired by the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, where the woman who carries it was born. She now lives in Paris.
Discovered Through Routine Testing
This fascinating story started 15 years ago when a 54-year-old woman was undergoing routine blood tests before surgery. Doctors found something unusual—an antibody that had never been recorded before. That moment kicked off years of scientific research.
It wasn’t until 2019 that researchers identified the cause: a rare genetic mutation. Thanks to advanced DNA sequencing technology, scientists finally uncovered what made her blood so unique.
Fast forward to June 2025—this discovery was officially recognized at a global conference held by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) in Milan. Since then, Gwada Negative has been added to the global blood classification registry.
A Blood Type Like No Other
According to Thierry Peyrard, a medical biologist at the French Blood Service (EFS), the woman inherited this rare blood type from both her parents, who each carried a mutated gene without realizing it.
Here’s the astonishing part: she is the only known person in the world with this blood type, and that means she can only receive a blood transfusion from herself. There is currently no compatible donor for her anywhere on Earth.
Searching for Genetic Matches
Researchers are now hoping to find others with this rare blood type, which could improve medical treatment options for people with uncommon blood groups.
Thanks to faster and more advanced DNA analysis tools, the search for rare blood types has become more efficient. This progress increases the odds of finding compatible donors for people in critical need.
Toward Universal Blood?
In related news, Japanese scientists have been working on developing universal blood—a type that could be compatible with all existing blood groups. If successful, this breakthrough could revolutionize the way blood transfusions are handled around the world.
The discovery of Gwada Negative is a reminder of just how much we still have to learn about the human body. Beyond being a scientific milestone, it also highlights the importance of expanding blood donor registries, especially for those with rare types.
