Jason Liu, Ph.D., a laboratory chief at FDA's Office of Blood Research and Review, transferring blood to 50 ml tubes as he prepares to isolate blood components for his research. Similarly, a unit of whole blood for transfusion can be separated, for example, into platelets and red blood cells. The separated components can be used for different patients with different needs. Every two seconds in the United States someone needs a blood transfusion or blood product; people of all ages who are injured, need surgery or who are suffering from illness. The FDA's primary responsibility with regard to blood and blood products is to assure the safety of patients who receive these life-saving products. FDA is at the forefront of evaluating and encouraging innovative technologies designed to identify and minimize the risks to people who receive transfusions, such as the transmission of infectious disease, while maintaining a safe and adequate supply. August, 2013.