Jehovah’s Witnesses have announced a change to their long-standing position on blood transfusions, saying members can now personally decide whether to accept four main blood components from another person.
The religious organisation said the decision to accept red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma or platelets is now a matter of individual conscience.
The announcement, published on the organisation’s global website, jw.org, also applies to blood donation.
Members are to decide for themselves whether to donate blood specifically for the purpose of producing components or fractions for use by another person.
However, the organisation stressed that its prohibition on receiving whole blood transfusions remains unchanged.
The position is rooted in the Bible’s instruction to “abstain from blood”, which Jehovah’s Witnesses have traditionally interpreted as prohibiting blood transfusions.
“Blood remains sacred to Jehovah’s Witnesses, who continue to regard life and blood as precious gifts from God,” Paul Gillies, an international spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses at the organisation’s World Headquarters, said.
“We recognise that medical decisions involving blood components are a matter of conscience between each Witness and their God, Jehovah.”
The latest decision follows previous changes concerning the use of blood fractions and a person’s own blood during medical treatment.
The organisation said the Bible does not specifically address decisions concerning the four major blood components, making them matters for individual conscience.
It said the change does not mean members are being encouraged to accept or donate blood components, but that each individual must make the decision based on their own religious conscience.
Jehovah’s Witnesses also said they seek medical treatment and do not practise faith healing.
The organisation said its members look for doctors who can provide effective treatment while respecting their wishes, values and beliefs.
“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,” Mr Gillies said.
The group also expressed appreciation to medical professionals who provide treatment in accordance with patients’ 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.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses have more than nine million members worldwide, with congregations in more than 200 countries and territories.
