Jehovah’s Witnesses have introduced a clarification to their long-held stance on blood use in medical care, signaling a shift in how members may approach certain procedures.
In a video released Friday on the group’s official website, the denomination explained that individuals can now make personal decisions regarding the use of their own blood during medical treatment.
The update was presented by Governing Body member Gerrit Lösch, who emphasized that the adjustment is meant to guide believers in making informed healthcare choices while remaining aligned with biblical principles.
According to Lösch, the core teaching that Christians should abstain from blood remains firmly in place—particularly when it comes to receiving blood from another person.
However, he noted that the Bible does not specifically address situations involving a person’s own blood in modern medical contexts.
He explained that this leaves room for individual conscience.
Members may now choose for themselves whether to accept procedures in which their blood is temporarily removed, stored, and later returned to their bodies.
“Each Christian must decide personally how their own blood is handled during surgery, testing, or therapy,” Lösch said, adding that opinions may differ among believers.
While some may feel comfortable with such procedures, others may still decline them based on personal convictions.
The clarification builds on practices that have already become broadly accepted within the faith, including blood testing, dialysis, and the use of heart-lung machines during surgery.
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The announcement reflects an effort by the organization to address complex medical realities while preserving its longstanding doctrinal position on blood.