Jehovah’s Witnesses relax rule on blood and allow transfusions

Jehovah’s Witnesses announced a modification in one of their most debated doctrines, now allowing their members to undergo autotransfusions of blood, as long as it has been previously extracted and stored from their own body. The decision was communicated last Friday by the Governing Body, based in the United States, which described the change as a “clarification” within its religious teachings. The new provision allows believers to opt for medical procedures in which their own blood is reused during surgeries or other interventions. However, the organization reiterated that the prohibition on receiving blood transfusions from external donors remains in place, a position that has historically characterized this religious denomination.

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For decades, the refusal to accept blood transfusions has been one of the most controversial principles of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Based on biblical interpretations that urge to “abstain from blood,” many believers have rejected this type of procedure even in critical medical situations, such as accidents or high-risk surgeries. In some cases, the organization has come to consider martyrs those who chose to maintain this position to the ultimate consequences. Attitude towards medicine Despite this restriction, Jehovah’s Witnesses insist that they do not reject medical care. According to them, their position responds to religious convictions and not to opposition to science or medicine. The organization claims that its members seek quality healthcare and turn to specialists with experience in techniques that avoid the use of blood, highlighting advances in alternative medical procedures. They also maintain that these methods, available in various countries, not only benefit their followers, but also other patients, by reducing risks associated with transfusions, such as infections, immunological reactions, or human errors.