The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses has announced a significant update to its blood transfusion policy. Effective immediately, the decision to accept red cells, white cells, plasma, or platelets from another person's blood is now a matter of personal conscience for each Witness. This change, announced from the organisation's World Headquarters in Warwick, New York, on Friday, September 18, 2026, marks a shift in the organisation's stance on blood transfusions.
The long-standing refusal of whole-blood transfusions on religious grounds remains unchanged. This core teaching, based on the command to "abstain from blood" in Acts 15:20, has been a fundamental aspect of Jehovah's Witnesses' beliefs. According to Mr. Paul Gillies, international spokesman for Jehovah's Witnesses, "Blood remains sacred to Jehovah's Witnesses, who continue to regard life and blood as precious gifts from God." This stance is rooted in the organisation's interpretation of biblical teachings.
The adjustment follows earlier updates regarding blood fractions and the use of one's own blood during medical procedures. Since the Bible does not comment on such decisions, they are a matter of individual conscience. This same reasoning has now been extended to the four main components of blood. Jehovah's Witnesses emphasise that they love life and want the best available medical care, and they do not practise faith healing.
Jehovah's Witnesses seek out doctors who can provide effective treatment in accord with their wishes, values, and beliefs. The organisation has expressed gratitude for the many skilled and compassionate physicians who provide quality medical care that respects their personal wishes regarding blood. Congregations do not involve themselves in personal decisions that rest with the individual conscience.
The organisation will continue to respect and support the personal decisions of its fellow believers. According to Mr. Gillies, "We recognise that medical decisions involving blood components are a matter of conscience between each Witness and their God, Jehovah." This approach allows individual Witnesses to make informed decisions about their medical care.
Jehovah's Witnesses have a significant global presence, with over nine million members worldwide, in congregations across more than 200 territories. The organisation's updated policy reflects its commitment to respecting individual conscience while maintaining its core teachings.
The update is seen as a positive step towards accommodating individual differences in medical decision-making. By allowing personal conscience to guide decisions on blood components, Jehovah's Witnesses can navigate complex medical situations while remaining true to their values and beliefs.
Key points
- Jehovah's Witnesses can now decide personally on accepting blood components.
- The organisation's long-standing refusal of whole-blood transfusions remains unchanged.
- The update reflects a shift towards respecting individual conscience in medical decision-making.
