Jehovah's Witnesses open the door to receiving blood transfusions

BarcelonaParadigm shift in the doctrine of Jehovah's Witnesses. The Governing Body, the highest governing organ of this confession, has made public a change of criteria that opens the door for the first time for its followers to receive blood transfusions. This was one of the movement's most controversial beliefs, which prohibited these types of operations due to a peculiar interpretation of Bible passages that call to "abstain from blood".

In a video published on September 18, the organization's international spokesperson, Paul Gillies, explains that each member will be able to decide "according to their conscience" whether they accept receiving red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, or platelets from another person's blood, or whether they want to donate these components. The organization, however, maintains its rejection of whole blood transfusions. The decision relaxes a stance the organization has held since 1945.

In the video, Gillies points out that the Bible does not contain specific instructions regarding blood-derived products. For this reason, the organization leaves in the hands of each member the decision to accept or donate red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, or platelets, instead of establishing a general prohibition. "Each Christian must analyze under prayer all the factors involved before making a decision," he notes.

The spokesperson defends that treatments without transfusions "are effective and avoid associated risks," but acknowledges that "medical advances have raised questions about how to apply biblical principles in different medical situations." Likewise, he explains that, from now on, as in other decisions related to health, each member will have to decide how they want to use their blood and whether they accept the use of the four main blood components in each medical or surgical treatment. "Everyone will carry their own burden of responsibility," he states.

Do not judge others

The organization's international spokesperson also emphasizes that "no Christian should intervene in this decision or judge it" and asks members of the congregation to respect the individual decisions of others. Despite the change in position, in the same video, Gillies remarks that "for Jehovah's Witnesses, blood remains sacred" and highlights that its members continue to consider "life and blood as valuable gifts from God".