Jehovah’s Witnesses relax stance on use of own blood
Jehovah’s Witnesses have announced a change to their medical guidance on blood, allowing members to decide whether to use their own blood during medical procedures while keeping the long standing ban on receiving blood from others. The adjustment is presented as an effort to balance their religious beliefs with advances in modern medicine. It is rooted in the group’s interpretation of the Bible, which they say requires Christians to abstain from blood, but does not directly address how a person’s own blood may be used in treatment. Governing Body member Gerrit Lösch explained that individual choice is central to the new direction. He stated that each Christian must personally decide how their own blood will be handled during surgery, medical tests or therapy, including whether it may be stored and later returned to them. Lösch noted that some members may […]
