Jehovah’s Witnesses change blood policy, leave blood transfusion ban unchanged

Story by: Isabella Kabukuor Atrikpe

The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses has announced a change to its policy on blood components, allowing members to personally decide whether to accept red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma and platelets for medical treatment.

The organisation said the decision to accept these blood components will now be a matter of individual conscience, giving members the responsibility to make their own choices based on their personal convictions.

However, the policy change does not affect the organisation’s longstanding position on whole-blood transfusions.

According to the announcement, “the acceptance of red cells, white cells, plasma and platelets” is now left to individual members to decide, while the refusal of whole-blood transfusions remains unchanged.

The organisation also announced a change concerning blood donation. Members will individually decide whether to donate blood for the purpose of producing blood components or fractions for medical use.

The move represents a change in the organisation’s position on specific blood components, while maintaining its existing stance on whole-blood transfusions.

Jehovah’s Witnesses have historically had specific religious guidelines concerning the use of blood in medical treatment. Under the revised policy, members are now given greater personal responsibility in decisions involving the listed blood components.

The organisation reiterated that the change should not be interpreted as an acceptance of whole-blood transfusions, stressing that its “longstanding refusal of whole-blood transfusions remains unchanged.”