Members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses have been given updated guidance regarding the use of blood in medical treatments.
In a video released on the group’s official website on Friday, the religious body explained that adherents can now make personal decisions about how their own blood is used during medical procedures.
A member of the Governing Body, Gerrit Lösch, said the clarification is meant to help members make informed healthcare choices while remaining faithful to biblical teachings.
Despite the update, the group reaffirmed its long-standing doctrine prohibiting the acceptance of blood from another person.
Lösch noted that while scripture instructs Christians to abstain from blood, it does not specifically address the medical use of an individual’s own blood.
He explained that members may now decide for themselves whether to permit procedures where their blood is temporarily removed, stored, and later returned to their bodies.
According to him, some adherents may accept such practices, while others may decline, stressing that the decision remains a matter of personal conscience.
He also pointed out that certain medical procedures involving blood—such as testing, dialysis, and the use of heart-lung machines—have already been widely accepted among members.
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