Jehovah’s Witnesses Announces Revision To Blood Transfusion Policy

Jehovah’s Witnesses have clarified their position on blood transfusions, saying members must continue to reject transfusions of whole blood but may personally decide whether to accept certain blood components and fractions derived from another person.

A Governing Body member for Jehovah’s Witnesses at the organisation’s World Headquarters in Warwick, New York, Geoffrey W. Jackson, made this known during a JW Broadcasting update on the organisation’s position on blood and medical treatment.

The policy, announced on Friday, is the second revision this year in what has long been one of the most controversial and distinctive teachings of the religious organization.

Jackson said the clarification followed advances in medical treatment that have raised questions about how biblical principles should be applied to different health situations.

According to him, Jehovah’s Witnesses have historically understood the biblical command to abstain from blood to mean that members should not consume whole blood, receive it through transfusion or donate whole blood for transfusion.

“With regard to blood, Jehovah’s Witnesses have understood Acts 15 to mean they should not consume whole blood, either by mouth or by transfusion, and that they should not donate blood,” he said.

He explained that the organisation has also applied the principle to the four primary components of blood — red cells, white cells, plasma and platelets.

However, Jackson said a recent clarification by the Governing Body means individual Jehovah’s Witnesses are now responsible for making personal decisions about whether to accept those four primary components when they are derived from another person’s blood.

He quoted the 2026 Governing Body Update No. 2 as stating: “Christians are not under the Mosaic Law. However, we obey the apostolic command to abstain from blood.”

The update also states that the Bible does not specifically comment on the use of a person’s own blood in medical and surgical care.

“Therefore, like other choices about health care, each Christian must make his own decision about the use of his own blood in all medical and surgical care,” Jackson said.

He added that, after further consideration, the Governing Body had decided that the same principle applies to red cells, white cells, plasma and platelets derived from another person’s blood.

“Therefore, each Christian must make his own personal decision about the use of these four primary components in all medical and surgical care,” he said.

Jackson also said members would individually decide whether to donate components or fractions derived from their own blood.

He stressed that the change should not be interpreted as the Governing Body taking the issue of blood-related medical treatment lightly.

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“The Governing Body continues to regard this as a very serious matter,” he said.

According to Jackson, the Governing Body recognises that the Scriptures do not specifically address every medical product derived from blood and therefore believes it should not impose rules beyond what is written in the Bible.

“We recognize that in harmony with 1 Corinthians 4 verse 6, we’re not authorized to go beyond the written,” he said.

Jackson said Jehovah’s Witnesses are expected to give “prayerful thought” to the factors involved before deciding whether to accept a product derived from another person’s blood.

He explained that individual members may reach different conclusions, with some rejecting all such products while others may accept certain products because they represent a small percentage of whole blood.

“Whatever the case, Romans 14.12 states, each of us will render an account for himself to God,” he said.

The organisation has approved a chart identifying some of the common products derived from blood to assist members in making informed decisions.

“After considering these and other factors, each Christian must decide whether or not he will accept a component or a fraction derived from another person’s blood,” he said.

“The congregation will not get involved in that decision, and individual Christians should not judge others.”

Jackson said Jehovah’s Witnesses who require assistance can seek support from their local hospital liaison committee, which can help them find doctors willing to respect their conscience while keeping their medical decisions confidential.

Summing up the organisation’s position, Gillies made clear that the clarification does not change its rejection of whole-blood transfusions.

“Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t accept transfusions of whole blood, nor do we donate whole blood to be transfused to others. We also don’t eat blood or unbled meat,” he said.

He added that the decision on whether to accept blood components or fractions derived from another person would now rest with each individual member.

“However, whether to accept components or fractions derived from another person’s blood is a decision for each Christian to make,” Jackson said.

“Likewise, each Christian must decide whether or not to donate components or fractions derived from his own blood.”

He said the Governing Body remained committed to respecting what Jehovah’s Witnesses regard as the sacredness of life and blood, while recognising the individual responsibility of members to make conscientious medical decisions.

“The Governing Body urges all of God’s people to consider prayerfully all factors relevant to their situation when making medical decisions involving products derived from blood,” Jackson said.

He said the aim was for each member to make a decision that leaves them with “a clean conscience” and reflects their belief that Jehovah is “the source of life.”

Recall that in December 2025, social media user and cancer patient, Mensah Omolola, popularly known on X as AuntieEsther, has died after battling breast cancer.

News of her death emerged on Saturday night after another social media user, Auntymuse (@AUNTYMUSE_), reacted to a post announcing her passing.

Quoting an earlier post by @swaagsp which read, “Unfortunately, we lost Aunty Esther. Very sad!”, Auntymuse wrote, “May her soul rest in peace.”

AuntieEsther’s death has since generated renewed attention to her case, which had previously sparked widespread debate over religious beliefs, medical treatment and public fundraising for cancer care.

Her situation attracted significant attention after appeals were made on social media for financial support towards her treatment.

The controversy followed her decision to reject a blood transfusion recommended by doctors as part of her treatment.

AuntieEsther explained that her decision was based on her religious beliefs as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

In a series of posts on X, she gave updates on her condition, saying medical tests showed that the cancer was confined to her breast and armpit.

She also said her other organs were “fine fine.”

According to her account, doctors had proposed chemotherapy but advised that her blood level first needed to be increased before the treatment could begin.

She said her family opted for injections and food to improve her blood count, adding that chemotherapy would commence afterwards.

The case drew further attention after social media user @Wizarab10 claimed that AuntieEsther’s church had warned of disciplinary action, including possible disfellowship, if she accepted a blood transfusion.

He also said doctors had presented two treatment options.

According to him, one involved a procedure supported by blood transfusion and could be carried out with the funds available at the time.

The second option did not involve a blood transfusion but would take longer and cost more.

AuntieEsther chose the second option, according to @Wizarab10, in keeping with her religious beliefs.

TVC News had earlier in March reported that Jehovah’s Witnesses have updated their stance on blood transfusions, now permitting members to have their own blood removed, stored, and “returned” during medical procedures, while maintaining a ban on receiving blood from others.

The move, announced Friday in a video statement by Governing Body member Gerrit Lösch, is designed to give members freedom to make personal decisions about the use of their blood in medical care.

“Regarding the use of one’s own blood…each Christian must decide for himself how his blood will be used in medical and surgical care,” Lösch said.