# Jehovah's Witnesses blood transfusion policy change

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/jehovahs-witnesses-blood-transfusion-policy-change
> Updated: 2026-09-25T22:06:42.000Z. Sources: 34. Developments: 2.

The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses has issued new religious guidance regarding the use of blood components in medical treatments. Under the directive, members are permitted to decide based on their individual conscience whether to accept or donate the four main blood components: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma.

The organization stated that because the Bible does not explicitly address these specific components, it is not appropriate to impose a universal rule. While this marks a departure from previous mandates, the prohibition against receiving whole blood transfusions remains unchanged, as the organization continues to interpret biblical passages as a mandate to ‘abstain from blood.’

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.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-25: Jehovah's Witnesses update policy on blood component use

Jehovah's Witnesses have updated their guidance, allowing members to use their individual conscience to decide on receiving or donating specific blood components like plasma and platelets.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jehovahs-witnesses-update-policy-on-blood-component-use-1

### 2026-09-23: Jehovah's Witnesses update blood transfusion policy

Jehovah's Witnesses have updated their doctrine, allowing members to personally decide whether to accept or donate the four main blood components, while maintaining a ban on whole blood transfusions.

32 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jehovahs-witnesses-update-doctrine-on-blood-component-use

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Cite as: Jehovah's Witnesses blood transfusion policy change. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/jehovahs-witnesses-blood-transfusion-policy-change