Jehovah’s Witnesses relax rules on blood-derived medical products while keeping whole-blood ban

In a policy shift announced on Friday, the Jehovah’s Witnesses revised their longstanding stance on blood use in medicine. Members are now allowed to receive medical treatments involving plasma, platelets, red cells and white cells that are derived from donated blood, with the choice left to individual conscience. The amendment also permits believers to donate blood for the creation of such products, but it maintains the prohibition on receiving whole-blood transfusions or donating whole blood for that purpose.

Geoffrey W. Jackson of the Governing Body said each Christian must decide personally about using the four primary blood components. Paul Gillies, the organization’s international spokesperson, stressed that the decision should be guided by prayer and biblical study. This follows a March ruling that lets members store their own blood for personal future treatment, but not for others.