Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses has updated the Church’s policy on blood transfusion for the second time this year, allowing members to decide, as a matter of personal conscience, to donate or receive four components of their blood.
In a statement last Friday, September 18, the New York-based organisation maintained its ban on blood transfusion but said members may decide to donate or receive blood components such as plasma, platelets, white cells and red cells.
The refusal of whole-blood transfusions on religious grounds, a teaching based on the biblical command to “abstain from blood” (Acts 15:20), remains unchanged.
“Blood remains sacred to Jehovah’s Witnesses, who continue to regard life and blood as precious gifts from God,” said Paul Gillies, international spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses at their World Headquarters.
“We recognize that medical decisions involving blood components are a matter of conscience between each Witness and their God, Jehovah.”
The adjustment follows an earlier update in March allowing members to transfuse, store, and receive their own blood during medical emergencies.
The Governing Body said such decisions are left to individual conscience since the Bible does not comment on them.
