Jehovah’s Witnesses Ease Blood-Product Policy but Keep Whole-Blood Transfusion Ban

The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses announced a revised position on blood transfusions on a Friday. Two reports say it is the second revision this year. Geoffrey W. Jackson, a Governing Body member based in New York State, made the central announcement during a JW Broadcasting update from the organization’s World Headquarters in Warwick, New York. A third report says the Governing Body issued the statement from that headquarters and published it on the organization’s website.

Jackson said the clarification followed advances in medical treatment that raised questions about applying biblical principles to health situations. He identified the four primary blood components as red cells, white cells, plasma and platelets. According to the 2026 Governing Body Update No. 2, Christians must obey the apostolic command to abstain from blood. The update states that the Bible does not specifically comment on the use of a person’s own blood in medical and surgical care.

Under the revised position, members may receive products derived from blood donated by other people, and they may receive treatments using the four primary components. Each Christian decides these matters personally, according to the reports. Jackson said each Christian must make his own personal decision about the four primary components when they are derived from another person’s blood.

The organization continues to oppose whole-blood transfusions, and it continues to oppose members donating blood for that purpose. One report says members must continue to reject transfusions of whole blood. In March, the Governing Body had announced a policy allowing members to store their own blood for their own future treatment, but not for others.

Critics, including former church members, say the teaching has led to preventable deaths. The reports attribute this view to those critics and do not present it as a finding. Concern for the vulnerable is at the center of such disputes (Proverbs 31:8-9).

Paul Gillies, the organization’s international spokesperson, said members should pray, study and consult the Bible before making a decision.