Updated Positions on Transfusions for Jehovah’s Witnesses

The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses has updated its stance on blood transfusions. On March 20, they clarified that each member can make their own decision regarding the use of autologous blood transfusions in their medical and surgical care. 

More recently, on September 18, they announced that the decision to donate or use allogeneic blood components, including red cells, white cells, platelets and plasma, should be made by each Witness. These clarifications were made since the Bible does not explicitly prohibit the use of autologous blood or blood components. Of note, the position on the use of whole blood for transfusion has not changed.   

With more options now available to Jehovah’s Witness patients, there must be individualized discussions between a clinician and the patient, avoiding assumptions based on religious identity. Clear documentation of specific components a patient accepts or refuses, as well as communication of these findings with the blood bank and pharmacy, are imperative to ensure each patient’s decisions are fulfilled. 

The Alliance for Jehovah’s Witness Research and Bioethics provides more information on these changes, as well as clinical, legal, bioethical, epidemiological and historical resources concerning Jehovah’s Witness medical policy at Jehovah's Witness Blood Transfusion Policy: 2026 Critical Resources.