Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the Bible prohibits ingesting blood and that Christians should not accept blood transfusions or donate or store their own blood for transfusion.^[1] The belief is based on an interpretation of scripture that differs from that of other Christian denominations.^[2] It is one of the doctrines for which Jehovah’s Witnesses are best known.^[3]

Jehovah’s Witnesses’ literature teaches that their refusal of transfusions of whole blood or its four primary components—red cells, white cells, platelets and plasma—is a non-negotiable religious stand and that those who respect life as a gift from God do not try to sustain life by taking in blood,^[4][5] even in an emergency.^[6] Witnesses are taught that the use of fractions such as albumin, immunoglobulins and hemophiliac preparations are “not absolutely prohibited”, and are instead a matter of personal choice.^[5]

The doctrine was introduced in 1945, and has undergone some changes since then. Members of the group who voluntarily accept a transfusion and are not deemed repentant are regarded as having disassociated themselves from the group by abandoning its doctrines^[7][8][9] and are subsequently shunned by members of the organization.^[10] Although accepted by the majority of Jehovah’s Witnesses, a minority does not endorse this doctrine.^[11][12]

The Watch Tower Society has established Hospital Information Services to provide education and facilitate bloodless surgery. This service also maintains Hospital Liaison Committees, whose function is to provide support to adherents.

Doctrine

    Prohibited Procedures 

    Permitted Procedires and Products

Bloodless Surgery

    Hospital Liaison Committees

    Patient Visitation Groups

Acceptance Among Jehovah’s Witnesses 

History of Doctrine

Critical Views

    Scriptural Interpretation 

    Coercion

    Selective Use of Information 

    Outdated Medical Beliefs 

    Inconsistency 

See Also

References 

External Links