Jehovah’s Witnesses Clarify Position on Blood Transfusion
Last update: March 21, 2026
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JW church allows members decide on use of own blood...
The Jehovah's Witnesses have announced an update to their long-standing doctrine on blood use, allowing members to make personal decisions regarding the use of their own blood during medical procedures.
CBI News reports that the clarification was disclosed in a video published on the group’s official website.
A member of the church’s Governing Body, Gerrit Lösch, said the update is meant to guide adherents in making medical decisions without compromising biblical beliefs.
“A Christian must decide for himself how his own blood will be handled in the course of a surgical procedure,” he stated.
Despite the update, the church reaffirmed its long-standing prohibition on receiving another person’s blood.
The doctrine requiring Christians to abstain from blood, based on scriptural interpretation, remains unchanged.
Lösch explained that the Bible does not specifically address the use of one’s own blood in medical settings.
As a result, members can now decide whether to allow procedures where their blood is temporarily removed and later returned to the body.
“Some Christians may allow it… others may object. Each must make a personal decision,” he added.
The church noted that certain medical practices involving blood have already been widely accepted among members.
These include blood testing, dialysis, and the use of heart-lung machines during surgery.
