The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses has revised its position on blood transfusions, making the decision to accept red cells, white cells, plasma or platelets from another person a matter of personal conscience.
The organisation announced the change in a statement issued from its World Headquarters in Warwick, New York, on Friday, September 18, 2026.
Under the updated position, individual Witnesses will also decide whether to donate blood specifically for the purpose of providing components or fractions for another person’s medical treatment.
However, the organisation’s long-standing prohibition on whole-blood transfusions remains unchanged. Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to base the teaching on the biblical instruction to “abstain from blood” in Acts 15:20.
“Blood remains sacred to Jehovah’s Witnesses, who continue to regard life and blood as precious gifts from God,” Paul Gillies, international spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses at the organisation’s World Headquarters, said.
“We recognise that medical decisions involving blood components are a matter of conscience between each Witness and their God, Jehovah.”
The latest adjustment builds on previous changes concerning the use of blood fractions and a person’s own blood during medical procedures.
According to the organisation, because the Bible does not specifically address decisions concerning these medical procedures, Witnesses are to make such choices according to their individual conscience. That principle has now been extended to the four main components of blood.
Jehovah’s Witnesses say they value life and seek effective medical treatment while adhering to their religious beliefs. The organisation also states that its members do not practise faith healing and are encouraged to seek medical professionals who can provide appropriate care consistent with their wishes and beliefs.
“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,” Gillies said.
“We are grateful, too, for the many skilled and compassionate physicians who provide quality medical care that respects our personal wishes regarding blood.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses have more than nine million members worldwide, and the organisation says it will continue to respect individual decisions on matters left to personal conscience.
