Spanish Oddities
How Easyjet nearly stopped the groundbreaking stem cell windpipe operation in Barcelona
By h,b,
Nov 20, 2008 - 5:17 PM

Following all the publicity earlier this week about the successful windpipe transplant carried out in Barcelona, where the use of the patient’s own stem cells means that she does not have to take anti-rejection drugs, comes the news that the entire procedure was at risk because of Easyjet.

The crew of an Easyjet flight from Bristol thought that the stem cells grown in Bristol University may be dangerous, and refused to accept them on board. As they only have a maximum lifespan of 16 hours, a private jet had to be hired at an additional cost to the procedure of 16,000 €.

The refusal by Easyjet came despite a confirmation made by Professor Anthony Hollander beforehand, that there was no problem for the German student, Philip Jungerbluth to carry the cells as part of his hand luggage.