Jehovah’s Witnesses have announced a significant change in their position on blood transfusions, saying that accepting red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma or platelets from another person is now a matter of individual conscience. In a statement issued by the organisation’s World Headquarters in Warwick, New York, on Friday, September 18, 2026, the Governing Body said each Witness must also personally decide whether to donate blood when it is specifically intended for the preparation of blood components or fractions for use by another person.
However, the long-standing teaching against accepting whole-blood transfusions for religious reasons remains unchanged. The position is based on the biblical instruction to “abstain from blood” found at Acts 15:20. “Blood remains sacred to Jehovah’s Witnesses, who continue to regard life and blood as precious gifts from God,” said Mr Paul Gillies, international spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses at their World Headquarters. “We recognise that medical decisions involving blood components are a matter of conscience between each Witness and their God, Jehovah.”
The latest change follows previous adjustments concerning the use of blood fractions and a person’s own blood during medical procedures. The organisation says that because the Bible does not specifically address such medical decisions, they fall within the realm of individual conscience. That principle has now been extended to the four primary components of blood.
Jehovah’s Witnesses maintain that they value life and seek the best medical care available. They do not practise faith healing and say they work with doctors who can provide effective treatment while respecting their religious beliefs, values and personal wishes.
“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,” Mr 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, organised into congregations across more than 200 territories.
