Jehovah’s Witnesses have announced an update on their long-standing position on blood transfusions.
In a video published on the group’s official website on Friday, the church stated that members are allowed to make personal decisions on the use of their own blood during medical procedures.
A member of the Governing Body, Gerrit Lösch, said the clarification is intended to help adherents navigate medical choices without departing from biblical teachings
The church, however, maintains that the prohibition on receiving another person’s blood still stands.
He explained that while the doctrine requiring Christians to abstain from blood remains unchanged, the scriptures do not directly address the use of one’s own blood in clinical settings.
“Regarding the use of one’s own blood…a Christian must decide for himself how his own blood will be handled in the course of a surgical procedure, medical test, or current therapy,” he said.
According to him, members are now free to decide whether to permit procedures where their blood is temporarily removed, stored, and later returned to the body.
“Some Christians may decide that they would allow their blood to be stored and then be given back to them. Others may object. Each Christian must make his personal decision on all matters involving the use of his own blood with regard to medical or surgical care,” Lösch added.
He noted that practices such as blood testing, dialysis, and the use of heart-lung machines have already been widely accepted among adherents.
