http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/10.08/blood.html
New article in Wired gives rather detailed write-up about Hemopure and how it is being used on human patients in South Africa. I think that this technology is going to provide the "out" that the JWs need to get around the blood transfusion issue. Justifying the use of cow blood as the source might be sticky, but they already allow human fractions so it'll probably all fall under a "conscience matter".
There is also some interesting information about how Hemopure has the potential to be abused by athletes for improved peak performance.
Obie