Jehovah's Witnesses Ease Blood Ban, Allow Derived Products

The Jehovah's Witnesses have partially relaxed their long-standing prohibition on the medical use of donated blood, permitting members to accept products derived from blood while continuing to ban whole-blood transfusions.

The change, announced on Friday, marks the second revision this year to one of the religious organization's most debated teachings.

Under the new policy, members may receive treatments involving the four primary components of whole blood: plasma, platelets, and red and white blood cells. The decision on whether to use these components in medical or surgical care is left to individual conscience.

"Each Christian must make his own personal decision about the use of these four primary components in all medical and surgical care," said Geoffrey W. Jackson, a member of the Governing Body, which is based in New York State.

The announcement also allows members to decide individually whether to donate blood for use in blood products for others' medical treatment. However, the organization maintains its opposition to members receiving whole-blood transfusions or donating blood for that purpose.

In March, the Governing Body had already revised its policy to permit members to store their own blood for future personal medical use, though not for others.

Critics, including former members, have long argued that the prohibition on a proven, potentially lifesaving treatment has led to preventable deaths. The Jehovah's Witnesses' stance stems from their interpretation of Bible passages that require believers to "abstain" from blood. While Jewish and other Christian traditions treat this as a dietary rule, Jehovah's Witnesses extend it to transfusions.

Blood components serve specific medical purposes. Plasma, the liquid portion, is often used for trauma or certain diseases, according to the American Red Cross. Red cells treat conditions such as anemia, white cells address certain infections, and platelets are used in some cancer and other treatments.

Paul Gillies, an international spokesperson for the organization, said in an interview that members should not take the decision lightly. "What we're saying is you have to pray about it, you have to study it, you have to see what the Bible has to say about it, because blood in the Bible represents life," he said. Members should weigh these factors before reaching "a decision that you feel happy about with your God."

Jehovah's Witnesses emerged in 19th-century America and share many beliefs with other Christian churches but differ on key theological issues, including the nature of Jesus and biblical prophecy. They are almost alone in their teachings on blood transfusions. The organization reported a U.S. membership of 1.3 million in 2025 and a worldwide membership of 9.2 million across more than 200 countries and territories.