For many years, Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW), as a religious organisation, have based its stand on blood transfusion on the interpretation of Mosaic Law, which, among other things, forbade believers from anything that relates to blood.
According to the organisation, Jehovah connects the sacredness of life with blood. It therefore bases its stand on Jehovah’s command to Noah in Genesis 9: 4, which says ‘…only flesh with its life, its blood you must not eat.’
Over the years, JW have operated strictly against blood transfusion, which many have endured even at the expense of loved ones.
But a recent update from its leadership, tagged ‘2026 Governing Body Update #6 ‘, discussed an adjustment to JW’s position on blood components – further indicating that ‘Christians are not under the Mosaic Law.’
While the organisation holds the right to its interpretation of the Bible as a religious sect, many adherents have lost their lives for refusing to accept blood transfusion in their critical moments, while the belief lasted.
In recent months, several natural disasters like earthquakes in Venezuela, Japan, and Colombia, wildfires in Europe and in North America, and devastating mudslides in Asia have affected many, including Jehovah’s Witnesses.
In many of the affected places, Jehovah’s Witnesses were directly involved in rescue efforts involving fellow witnesses, where local brothers and sisters donated over half a million dollars’ worth of food, clothing, and other supplies.
While JW branch offices in affected areas set up relief centres to help people in need of essential items, those in critical condition and in need of blood transfusion could not get the help required because the organisation they belong to does not support blood transfusion.
According to the Governing Body, Jehovah’s Witnesses have always endeavoured to reflect on God’s view of the sacredness of life. While that position is true and justified, it was, however, based on a misinterpretation of the scriptures.
The occurrence of natural disasters and medical advancements in a way forced the Governing Body to reevaluate the organisation’s position on blood transfusion – therefore positing that ‘It’s an opportunity for each of God’s servants to reflect Jehovah’s view of life.’
According to the Governing Body, obedience to Jehovah’s view of life includes avoiding the consumption of blood.
‘And since the underlying principle is respect for life, it also includes avoiding blood guilt caused by murder or by careless or reckless conduct that could result in the loss of life.’
Furthermore, the Governing Body, in obedience to the apostolic command to abstain from blood, reiterated that the Bible does not 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.’
New perspective/Biblical understanding on blood transfusion
The Bible expressly warned that believers are not to add or remove from any part of the scripture. However, this part of the Bible and other commandments have been interpreted from various points of view.
Therefore, it is not surprising to see the JW Governing Body review the organisation’s stand on blood transfusion – which for many years have exposed Jehovah’s Witnesses to controversies in many places.
‘It’s more about Biblical understanding of the principle about the use and consumption of blood that became clearer,’ a witness who wanted to remain anonymous told BusinessDay.
She added that there has been no pushback from within the organisation to force the Governing Body to review her position on blood transfusion.
‘There are so many people that I know that would still refuse any form of blood, because their conscience doesn’t allow them.’
She also clarified that whole blood is still not taken by Jehovah’s Witnesses, but they can only take the four components as required for treatment
‘If their conscience allows it, they can store their own blood and reuse it for medical procedures. The former principle was to take fractions of the components of whole blood and not whole blood or the full components,’ she said.
The anonymous Witness also disclosed that the review was not directly influenced by technological advancements. ‘JW’s have always been tech-savvy and use tech to their advantage.
‘We’ve always had very successful no-blood surgeries, backed by the world’s most advanced doctors,’ she added.
Importance of blood transfusion
Blood transfusion is primarily needed to save a person’s life when they have lost too much blood. It helps people with severe anaemia by giving their body the red blood cells it needs to carry oxygen.
Blood transfusion is also very important during major surgeries, accidents, childbirth, and other emergencies, where the patients’ blood count is low.
Similarly, some patients with serious illnesses may also require blood or blood components as part of their treatment. ‘Having enough safe blood available in hospitals means doctors can respond quickly when someone’s life is at risk,’ Said Yekeen, former chairman, YMLSF OYO State branch, told BusinessDay.
According to Yekeen, hospitals need regular blood donors to ensure that blood is available when patients need it urgently – hence people should be open to blood donation and transfusion.
‘People should be willing to donate blood because their small act of kindness can save someone’s life,’ Yekeen said.
According to him, donated blood is carefully tested/screened and matched to make the transfusion as safe as possible. ‘By donating blood and being open to receiving it when necessary, we can help save lives and support one another,’ he added.
Power of decision given to each Witness
While the recent review of the Governing Body is seen as a welcome development, much still has to be done in areas of acceptance because the U-turn now places the power to give or receive on individual Witnesses.
Therefore, the Governing Body warned that taking the matter lightly could harm a Christian’s conscience and his relationship with Jehovah.
The warning according to the Governing Body was based on the fact that members of the Body are not masters of other believers’ faith, but are rather fellow workers in faith.
‘This scriptural clarification allows each Christian to do as stated in Galatians 6: 5. Each one will carry his own load.
‘After further prayerful consideration, the Governing Body has decided that this same principle applies to the four primary components of whole blood,’ the Governing Body stated.
On the back of this, the Body urged Witnesses to prayerfully consider all factors relevant to their situation when making medical decisions involving products derived from blood.
‘In this way, each Christian can make a decision that leaves him with a clean conscience and shows deep respect for Jehovah, the source of life.’
The Governing Body also touched on how individual Witnesses can view the acceptance or rejection of any blood-related product.
‘Each Christian will likely reason differently. Some might reject all such products because they believe that taking any part of blood is wrong.
‘Others might accept certain products because they represent a small percentage of whole blood,’ the Governing Body stated.