Accepting or donating blood now a matter of members' decision-Jehovah's Witness

Jehovah’s Witnesses have announced that accepting some blood components from another person is now a matter of personal conscience for each member.

The Governing Body said on Friday that individual Witnesses must decide whether to accept red cells, white cells, plasma or platelets.

It said each member must also decide whether to donate blood for the clearly stated purpose of providing components or fractions for use by another person.

The announcement does not change the group’s long-standing position against whole-blood transfusions.

Jehovah’s Witnesses have traditionally refused whole-blood transfusions on religious grounds, relying on the biblical command to “abstain from blood” in Acts 15:20.

Paul Gillies, international spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses at their World Headquarters, said blood remains sacred to members of the faith.

“Blood remains sacred to Jehovah’s Witnesses, who continue to regard life and blood as precious gifts from God,” he said.

“We recognise that medical decisions involving blood components are a matter of conscience between each Witness and their God, Jehovah.”

The organisation said the adjustment follows earlier updates on blood fractions and the use of a person’s own blood during medical procedures.

It explained that because the Bible does not specifically address such medical decisions, they should be left to individual conscience.

That reasoning has now been extended to the four main components of blood.

Jehovah’s Witnesses said they value life and seek the best available medical care.

The group also stressed that it does not practise faith healing.

It said members seek doctors who can provide effective treatment in a way that respects their wishes, values and religious beliefs.

Mr Gillies said congregations would not interfere in personal decisions that rest with individual members.

“Congregations do not involve themselves in personal decisions that rest with the individual conscience. We will continue to respect and support the personal decisions of our fellow believers,” he said.

He also thanked physicians who provide care while respecting members’ wishes regarding blood.

“We are grateful, too, for the many skilled and compassionate physicians who provide quality medical care that respects our personal wishes regarding blood,” he added.

Jehovah’s Witnesses say they have more than nine million members in congregations across over 200 lands.