Jehovah's Witnesses update policy on blood component use

Jehovah's Witnesses have announced a change in religious guidance regarding the use of specific blood components in medical treatments. The organization's Governing Body, based in Warwick, New York, stated that members may now decide based on their individual conscience whether to accept or donate red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, or platelets from others.

While the decision regarding these specific components is now a matter of personal conscience, the prohibition against receiving whole blood transfusions remains in effect. This stance is based on the religious interpretation of the biblical mandate to ‘abstain from blood.’

The organization noted that because the Bible does not provide specific instructions regarding these individual components, the decision-making process should be handled by each member personally. Spokesperson Paul Gillies emphasized that the organization will not interfere in these personal medical decisions and will respect the individual choices made by its members.