The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses has announced a change in its position on blood transfusions, allowing individual members to decide, according to personal conscience, whether to accept red cells, white cells, plasma or platelets from another person’s blood.
The decision, announced on September 18, 2026, also applies to donating blood where the donor has clearly indicated that the blood components or fractions are intended for use by another person.
However, the organisation said its long-standing refusal of whole-blood transfusions remains unchanged.
According to Jehovah’s Witnesses, the position on whole blood is based on the biblical command to “abstain from blood,” including the reference in Acts 15:20.
Paul Gillies, an international spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses at the organisation’s World Headquarters in Warwick, New York, said blood remains sacred to the faith, with members continuing to regard life and blood as gifts from God.
“We recognize that medical decisions involving blood components are a matter of conscience between each Witness and their God, Jehovah,” he said.
The organisation said the latest adjustment follows earlier changes concerning blood fractions and the use of a person’s own blood during medical procedures.
It explained that the Bible does not specifically address decisions involving the four main blood components—red cells, white cells, plasma and platelets—and such decisions are therefore now regarded as matters of individual conscience.
Jehovah’s Witnesses also said their members seek medical treatment and do not practise faith healing.
The organisation said members seek doctors who can provide effective medical care while respecting their wishes, values and religious beliefs.
Mr Gillies said congregations would not interfere in medical decisions that are considered matters of individual conscience.
“Congregations do not involve themselves in personal decisions that rest with the individual conscience. We will continue to respect and support the personal decisions of our fellow believers,” he said.
Jehovah’s Witnesses said they have more than nine million members worldwide, with congregations in more than 200 countries and territories.
