Governing Body says individual Witnesses can now decide whether to accept or donate red cells, white cells, plasma and platelets, while its ban on whole-blood transfusions remains unchanged.

WARWICK, New York — Jehovah’s Witnesses have announced a significant change to their position on blood transfusions, giving individual members the freedom to decide whether to accept or donate the four main components of blood based on personal conscience.

The announcement was made Friday by the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses at the organisation’s World Headquarters in Warwick, New York.

Under the new position, individual Witnesses will decide for themselves whether to accept red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma or platelets from another person’s blood. Members will also have to make their own decision about donating blood when the clearly stated purpose is for its components or fractions to be used in the medical treatment of another person.

However, the organisation stressed that its longstanding position against whole-blood transfusions remains unchanged.

The religious position is based on the biblical instruction to “abstain from blood,” referenced in Acts 15:20. Jehovah’s Witnesses have historically interpreted the command as prohibiting the acceptance of blood through transfusion.

Paul Gillies, an international spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses at the organisation’s World Headquarters, said the revised position reflects the belief that decisions involving the main components of blood should be left to individual conscience.

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

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

Decision now extended to four main components

The organisation said the change follows previous adjustments concerning blood fractions and the use of a person’s own blood during medical procedures.

According to the Governing Body, because the Bible does not specifically address decisions concerning the four major blood components, individual Witnesses should make their own choices after considering their personal religious convictions.

The newly announced position extends that reasoning to red cells, white cells, plasma and platelets.

This means Jehovah’s Witnesses may now reach different personal decisions regarding these components without the congregation becoming involved in the matter.

Gillies said congregations would continue to respect the individual choices of 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.

Witnesses say they seek medical treatment

Jehovah’s Witnesses also reiterated that they value life and seek medical treatment rather than relying on faith healing.

The organisation said its members seek qualified doctors and other healthcare professionals capable of providing effective medical care while respecting their religious convictions and personal choices 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,” Gillies said.

The organisation's position on blood has long been an important part of its religious identity and has also been the subject of discussion within the medical community because of the challenges that can arise when patients decline certain blood products.

The latest announcement does not remove the prohibition on whole-blood transfusions. Instead, it places decisions concerning the four principal components of blood within the sphere of individual conscience.

Jehovah’s Witnesses have more than nine million members worldwide, with congregations located across more than 200 countries and territories.