Was die Veröffentlichungen der Zeugen Jehovas ab 1945 über Bluttransfusionen sagten, was sie heute sagen und wie genau sich die Position verschoben hat. Jede Aussage unten ist mit dem Text der Organisation selbst verlinkt.
Zuletzt geprüft am 19. September 2026Whole blood: still prohibitedFour components: personal decision since 18 Sept 2026
From 1982 to September 2026 the four primary components (red cells, white cells, platelets, plasma) were explicitly named as unacceptable; in 2000 accepting any of them was said to ‘violate God’s law’.Source: Awake!, 22. Juni 1982Source: The Watchtower, 15. Juni 2000
Serums and gamma globulin were left to ‘individual judgment’ in 1958, and 1961 repeated that for vaccines and serums; but the same 1961 answer called ‘the entire modern medical practice involving the use of blood … objectionable’ and said infusing ‘some blood fraction to sustain one’s life is wrong’. Haemophilia preparations and other serums were a ‘gray area’ by 1978; albumin, immune globulin and haemophilia preparations were for ‘each Witness’ to decide by 1982 and 1990.Source: The Watchtower, 15. September 1958Source: The Watchtower, 1. November 1961Source: The Watchtower, 15. Juni 1978Source: The Watchtower, 1. Juni 1990
Ja, die Regel hat sich geändert. Die offizielle Literatur verbot ausdrücklich Transfusionen von Vollblut und seinen vier Hauptbestandteilen. Im September 2026 behielt die Leitende Körperschaft das Verbot von Vollblut bei, machte rote Blutkörperchen, weiße Blutkörperchen, Plasma und Blutplättchen jedoch zu einer persönlichen Entscheidung.
Published position, 1990 to 18 September 2026
Five categories not accepted
Witnesses do not accept transfusions of whole blood, red cells, white cells, platelets, or blood plasma.
Stand 19. September 2026, dem Tag nach der Bekanntgabe, steht die Broschüre weiterhin mit unveränderter Fußnote auf JW.org; wir werden das erneut prüfen und jede Überarbeitung im Korrekturprotokoll festhalten. Die Rubrik „Fragen von Lesern“ vom Juni 2000 formulierte es schärfer:
Jehovah's Witnesses hold that accepting whole blood or any of those four primary components violates God's law.
After further prayerful consideration, the Governing Body has decided that this same principle applies to the four primary components of whole blood—red cells, white cells, plasma, and platelets—that are derived from another person’s blood. Therefore, each Christian must make his own personal decision about the use of these four primary components in all medical and surgical care.
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not accept transfusions of whole blood, nor do we donate blood that would be used as a whole blood transfusion to another person. We also do not eat blood or unbled meat. However, whether to accept components or fractions derived from another person’s blood is a decision for each Christian to make.
Precision matters. This is not permission for whole blood. It is permission, as a matter of conscience, for the four components used in almost all modern transfusion practice: the World Health Organization reports that 98% of donated blood in high-income countries is separated into components, and the NHS lists red cells, platelets and plasma as what patients are given; it does not mention whole blood.Source: World Health Organization fact sheet, 12. Juni 2026Source: NHS (nhs.uk), 16. Januar 2025Calling the 2026 change ‘no change’ depends on narrowing ‘blood transfusion’ to whole blood only. Calling it ‘lifting the ban’ ignores that whole blood remains prohibited.
Damals und heute: die Gegenüberstellung der Regelungen
„Verboten“ bedeutet, dass die Organisation die Behandlung als Widerspruch zu Gottes Gesetz darstellte und nicht bloß als medizinisch nicht empfehlenswert. Jedes Feld unten ist mit der Veröffentlichung verlinkt, auf der es beruht.
The published position on each use of blood, by period
The published position on each use of blood, by period
Prohibited — Presented as conflicting with God’s law, not merely discouraged.
Personal decision — Left to the individual’s conscience; no congregational consequence.
Mixed or changing — The published position moved within the period.
Where a period is shown as a single status, the published position did not move within it. The ‘mixed’ cell for minor fractions opens the sequence of statements between 1958 and 1978.
Die vollständige Gegenüberstellung, Anwendung für Anwendung
Dieselben vier Zeiträume über zehn Anwendungen hinweg, einschließlich derer, die leicht übersehen werden: gelagertes Eigenblut, maschinelle Autotransfusion, Hämodilution und Blutspende.
Donation: the 1961 article treats persistent donation of blood ‘toward the carrying out of this medical practice upon others’ as grounds for disfellowshipping; the 2000 article says ‘we do not donate blood’; neither distinguishes donation for components from donation for whole blood, a distinction first drawn in September 2026.
Ursprüngliche Regeln, spätere Ausnahmen, der umstrittene Vorgang von 2000 und die beiden Überarbeitungen von 2026. Öffnen Sie einen beliebigen Eintrag, um die Belege an Ort und Stelle zu lesen.
1. Juli 1945
Veröffentlichte RichtlinieVerboten
The transfusion prohibition enters Watchtower teaching
1993 · p.183 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“When transfusions of blood became an issue confronting them, The Watchtower of July 1, 1945, explained at length the Christian view regarding the sanctity of blood.”
Questions From Readers says a patient receiving a transfusion ‘is eating it through his veins’. No congregational penalty is mentioned. Source: The Watchtower, 1. Juli 1951
1. Juli 1951 · pp.414-416 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“Hence the attendant administering the transfusion is feeding the patient blood through the veins, and the patient receiving it is eating it through his veins.”
Veröffentlichte RichtliniePersönliche Entscheidung
Serums and gamma globulin left to ‘individual judgment’
Diphtheria antitoxin and gamma globulin are said not to be the same as taking blood as a nutrient; accepting them is ‘a matter of individual judgment’. Source: The Watchtower, 15. September 1958
Belege öffnen Serums and gamma globulin left to ‘individual judgment’
Accepting a transfusion becomes a disfellowshipping matter
Asked whether a baptised Witness who accepts a transfusion is subject to disfellowshipping, The Watchtower answers: ‘The inspired Holy Scriptures answer yes.’ Source: The Watchtower, 15. Januar 1961
Belege öffnen Accepting a transfusion becomes a disfellowshipping matter
Two study articles treat transfusion as a violation of divine law: ‘How foolish it is to think that one can save life by violating the laws of the Life-giver!’ The often-quoted ‘temporary prolongation of life’ sentence was not found in either article. Source: The Watchtower, 15. September 1961
Belege öffnen ‘Lifesaving efforts by unscriptural means’
15. September 1961 · pp.559-566 · par. 18 (p. 565) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“Lifesaving efforts by unscriptural means can never produce results of lasting good. How foolish it is to think that one can save life by violating the laws of the Life-giver!”
Infusing ‘some blood fraction to sustain one’s life is wrong’
The 1958 ‘individual judgment’ line is narrowed: a transfusion, ‘or, in lieu of that, the infusing of some blood fraction to sustain one’s life is wrong’. Source: The Watchtower, 1. November 1961
Belege öffnen Infusing ‘some blood fraction to sustain one’s life is wrong’
Serums and haemophilia preparations become a ‘gray area’
Serums for diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis, rabies, haemophilia and Rh incompatibility ‘seem to fall into a “gray area”’ to be resolved ‘by each individual on a personal basis’. Source: The Watchtower, 15. Juni 1978
Belege öffnen Serums and haemophilia preparations become a ‘gray area’
15. Juni 1978 · pp.29-31 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“This seems to fall into a “gray area.” Some Christians believe that accepting a small amount of a blood derivative for such a purpose would not be a manifestation of disrespect for God's law.”
Components named; stored own blood ‘objectionable’
A JAMA article reprinted in Awake! states that Witnesses refuse whole blood, packed red cells, white cells and platelets, and that storage-based haemodilution or collection is ‘objectionable’, while continuous-circuit procedures are widely accepted. Source: Awake!, 22. Juni 1982
Belege öffnen Components named; stored own blood ‘objectionable’
22. Juni 1982 · pp.25-27 · Watchtower Bible and Tract Society Medical and Research Departments (reprint from JAMA 27 Nov 1981, 246(21):2471-2472) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“Techniques for intraoperative collection or hemodilution that involve blood storage are objectionable to them.”
Cell salvage left to conscience; stored blood still excluded
A Christian ‘who also would not let blood flow from him, be stored for some time, and later be put back into him’ might accept continuous-circuit salvage. Source: The Watchtower, 1. März 1989
Belege öffnen Cell salvage left to conscience; stored blood still excluded
1. März 1989 · pp.30-31 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“another Christian (who also would not let blood flow from him, be stored for some time, and later be put back into him) might conclude that a circuit with recovery from a surgical site and ongoing reinfusion would not violate his trained conscience.”
‘How Can Blood Save Your Life?’ states that Witnesses do not accept whole blood, red cells, white cells, platelets or plasma, while non-blood volume expanders are acceptable. Source: How Can Blood Save Your Life? (brochure), 1990
Belege öffnen Brochure lists five unacceptable categories
22. Mai 1994 · p.2 · Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.
“In former times thousands of youths died for putting God first. They are still doing it, only today the drama is played out in hospitals and courtrooms, with blood transfusions the issue.”
15. Juni 2000 · Stephen Bates · Guardian News & Media
“The witnesses' British headquarters at Watch Tower House in north London described the decision, which will be conveyed to members at Kingdom halls across the country by letter as “a minor procedural change”.”
15. Juni 2000 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society (statement); copy hosted by CESNUR
“This represents a procedural change instituted in April 2000 in which the congregation no longer initiates the action to revoke membership in such cases. However, the end result is the same”
Four primary components ‘violates God’s law’; fractions personal
‘Jehovah’s Witnesses hold that accepting whole blood or any of those four primary components violates God’s law.’ Fractions of those components are left to conscience. Source: The Watchtower, 15. Juni 2000
Belege öffnen Four primary components ‘violates God’s law’; fractions personal
Storing one’s own blood ‘conflicts with God’s law’
Questions From Readers says Witnesses do not donate blood or store their own blood for transfusion; continuous-circuit procedures are left to the individual. Source: The Watchtower, 15. Oktober 2000
Belege öffnen Storing one’s own blood ‘conflicts with God’s law’
15. Juni 2004 · pp.29-31 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“when it comes to fractions of any of the primary components, each Christian, after careful and prayerful meditation, must conscientiously decide for himself.”
The appendix directs members to tell doctors that ‘no blood transfusions (whole blood, red cells, white cells, platelets, or blood plasma) be given to me under any circumstances’, and repeats the fractions and own-blood conscience framework. Source: Keep Yourselves in God's Love (book), 2008
Belege öffnen ‘Keep Yourselves in God’s Love’ appendix
19. August 2019 · Duration 6 min 15 s; category ‘Endurance’ (VODIntExpEndurance); media key pub-jwb_E_201908_4_VIDEO · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Jerod was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer in the middle of 1991. We started trying to figure out how we could get him the treatment that he needed, of course, but in no way would we accept a blood transfusion, and neither would Jerod.”
20. März 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Christians are not under the Mosaic Law. However, we obey the apostolic command to ‘abstain from blood.’ Furthermore, the Bible does not comment on the use of a person’s own blood in medical and surgical care. Therefore, like other choices about health care, each Christian must make his own decision about the use of his own blood in all medical and surgical care.”
18. September 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“After further prayerful consideration, the Governing Body has decided that this same principle applies to the four primary components of whole blood—red cells, white cells, plasma, and platelets—that are derived from another person’s blood. Therefore, each Christian must make his own personal decision about the use of these four primary components in all medical and surgical care.”
18. September 2026 · Office of Public Information, Jehovah’s Witnesses (Paul Gillies quoted) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses announced on Friday that the decision to accept red cells, white cells, plasma or platelets from another person's blood is a matter of personal conscience. Likewise, each Witness must decide whether or not to donate blood for the clearly expressed purpose of providing components or fractions for use by another person. … The long-standing refusal of whole-blood transfusions on religious grounds, a core teaching based on the command to 'abstain from blood' (Acts 15:20), is unchanged.”
18. September 2026 · Peter Smith · The Associated Press
““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.”
The announcement calls the change ‘an adjustment to our position on blood components’; the article says the Governing Body is ‘not authorized to “go beyond the things that are written”’. Source: JW.org News, 18. September 2026
Belege öffnen The organisation’s framing: an ‘adjustment’
AWAKE!22 May 1994“Youths Who Put God First”Feature articles, pages 3 to 15
Set in type, not reproduced. The artwork of the cover is not shown here. The issue itself is on the organisation’s own online library, and every quotation on this site links to it.
Die am häufigsten zitierte Veröffentlichung in der Geschichte dieser Regelung und zugleich die am häufigsten falsch wiedergegebene. Ihr Inhaltsverzeichnis sagte, dass in früheren Zeiten Tausende junger Menschen starben, weil sie Gott an die erste Stelle setzten, und dass „sie es immer noch tun“, wobei es „um Bluttransfusionen geht“.
Die beiden Hauptartikel nennen sechs junge Menschen. Die Ausgabe hält fest, dass drei von ihnen starben: Adrian Yeatts, 14; Lenae Martinez, 12; und Lisa Kosack, 12. Sie hält fest, dass drei zum Zeitpunkt der Abfassung am Leben waren. Die Blutkategorien, deren Ablehnung ihnen beigebracht wurde, wurden am 18. September 2026 zu persönlichen Entscheidungen.
Die eigene Seite dazu legt dar, was die Ausgabe tatsächlich dokumentiert, Person für Person, mit den Gerichtsverfahren, den ärztlichen Ratschlägen, so wie die Zeitschrift sie selbst wiedergibt, und dem, was sich über das Titelbild redlicherweise nicht sagen lässt.
Die Position der Organisation oder ihre spätere Erklärung: jv S. 183: 'When transfusions of blood became an issue confronting them, The Watchtower of July 1, 1945, explained at length the Christian view regarding the sanctity of blood.'
Hinweis zu Herkunft und Überprüfung for The Watchtower, 'Upon the Watchtower I Am Standing' — chart 'History-Making Watchtower Articles, Decade by Decade'
Hinweis zur Vertrauensangabe.Opened on WOL; chart entry confirmed.
1993 · p.183 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“When transfusions of blood became an issue confronting them, The Watchtower of July 1, 1945, explained at length the Christian view regarding the sanctity of blood.”
Also: 'Earlier discussions of the sanctity of blood appeared in The Watch Tower of December 15, 1927, as well as The Watchtower of December 1, 1944, which specifically mentioned blood transfusions.' And: 'beginning in 1961 any who ignored the divine requirement, accepted blood transfusions, and manifested an unrepentant attitude were disfellowshipped'.
1. Juli 1945 · pp.198-201 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“(article not opened) — discovery sites attribute to pp. 200-201: “Among the barbarous and fierce, savage nations, such as the Scythians, Tartars, desert Arabs, Scandinavians, etc., who lived most on animal blood…””
Identified by the organisation itself (w87 3/1 p. 13 chart; jv p. 183) as the article that first set out that Christians must abstain from transfusions.
No online copy located.
Hinweis zu Herkunft und Überprüfung for The Watchtower, Immovable for the Right Worship
Hinweis zur Vertrauensangabe.Title, date and significance verified via w87 3/1 p. 13 and jv p. 183 (both opened on WOL). The article text itself was NOT opened: not on WOL; no lawful English scan found on archive.org (the 'Watchtower 1945-1946' item there is a college newspaper; the French 1945 volume has no 'transfusion'). Quoted wording is discovery-only and must be treated as unverified.
Die Position der Organisation oder ihre spätere Erklärung: jv S. 183 bestätigt den Gemeinschaftsentzug 'beginning in 1961' für diejenigen, die 'unrepentant' waren.
15. Januar 1961 · pp.63-64 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“The inspired Holy Scriptures answer yes.”
Answer to whether a baptized receiver of a transfusion is subject to disfellowshipping; unrepentant or persistent receivers 'must be cut off therefrom by disfellowshiping'; a repentant first offender receives instruction instead.
1993 · p.183 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“When transfusions of blood became an issue confronting them, The Watchtower of July 1, 1945, explained at length the Christian view regarding the sanctity of blood.”
Also: 'Earlier discussions of the sanctity of blood appeared in The Watch Tower of December 15, 1927, as well as The Watchtower of December 1, 1944, which specifically mentioned blood transfusions.' And: 'beginning in 1961 any who ignored the divine requirement, accepted blood transfusions, and manifested an unrepentant attitude were disfellowshipped'.
1. November 1961 · pp.669-672 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“the taking of a blood transfusion, or, in lieu of that, the infusing of some blood fraction to sustain one's life is wrong.”
On serums and vaccines: vaccination is 'not in actuality a feeding or nourishing process' but 'a contamination of the human system'; quotes 15 Sep 1958 p. 575 that acceptance is 'a matter of individual judgment' while urging Christians to stay as far from it as they can.
15. September 1958 · p.575 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“It would therefore be a matter of individual judgment whether one accepted such types of medication or not.”
On serums (diphtheria antitoxin) and fractions (gamma globulin): 'not the same as taking blood, either by mouth or by transfusion, as a nutrient to build up the body's vital forces.'
Im Juni 2000 erklärte Der Wachtturm, die Annahme von Vollblut 'or any of those four primary components' (rote Blutkörperchen, weiße Blutkörperchen, Blutplättchen, Plasma) 'violates God's law', während es bei Fraktionen um 'his own conscientious decision before God' gehe. Source: The Watchtower, 15. Juni 2000
15. Juni 2000 · pp.29-31 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“Jehovah's Witnesses hold that accepting whole blood or any of those four primary components violates God's law.”
Fractions: 'The Bible does not give details, so a Christian must make his own conscientious decision before God.' and 'each Christian, after careful and prayerful meditation, must conscientiously decide for himself'.
Hinweis zu Herkunft und Überprüfung for The Watchtower, Questions From Readers — Do Jehovah's Witnesses accept any medical products derived from blood?
Im Oktober 2000 erklärte Der Wachtturm, für Zeugen Jehovas gelte: ‘do not donate blood, nor do we store for transfusion our blood’; die Praxis, vor einer Operation eigenes Blut zu hinterlegen, ‘conflicts with God’s law’. Source: The Watchtower, 15. Oktober 2000
Die Position der Organisation oder ihre spätere Erklärung: Im März 2026 sagte die leitende Körperschaft, die Bibel ‘does not comment’ zum Gebrauch des eigenen Blutes einer Person; die Formulierung von 2000 wurde nicht als Fehler bezeichnet, die Position wurde jedoch ‘clarified’.
15. Oktober 2000 · pp.30-31 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Hence, we do not donate blood, nor do we store for transfusion our blood that should be ‘poured out.’ That practice conflicts with God’s law.”
The question asked was: ‘In the light of Bible commands about the proper use of blood, how do Jehovah’s Witnesses view medical procedures using one’s own blood?’ The article said that depositing one’s own blood weeks before surgery ‘directly contradicts’ Leviticus and Deuteronomy, while procedures in which the patient’s blood stays in a continuous circuit (haemodilution, cell salvage, heart-lung machines, dialysis) were left for each Christian to decide.
Die Position der Organisation oder ihre spätere Erklärung: Der Artikel vom September 2026 nennt die Erklärung vom März eine ‘Scriptural clarification’, die ‘allows each Christian to do as stated in Galatians 6:5’.
20. März 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Christians are not under the Mosaic Law. However, we obey the apostolic command to ‘abstain from blood.’ Furthermore, the Bible does not comment on the use of a person’s own blood in medical and surgical care. Therefore, like other choices about health care, each Christian must make his own decision about the use of his own blood in all medical and surgical care.”
The news page says the update will ‘clarify our position on the use of a patient’s own blood in medical and surgical care’. The quoted statement is the wording that the September 2026 Questions From Readers article attributes to this update.
Hinweis zu Herkunft und Überprüfung for JW.org News, 2026 Governing Body Update #2
Hinweis zur Vertrauensangabe.News page opened on JW.org on 19 September 2026 (date and description confirmed). The official English captions were opened by the independent source auditor and contain the quoted statement; the captions add: 'Some Christians may decide that they would allow their blood to be stored and then be given back to them. Others may object.' The Associated Press reported that Governing Body member Gerrit Lösch delivered the update.
Herkunft des Scans.Official English captions file served from the JW.org content delivery network.
18. September 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“After further prayerful consideration, the Governing Body has decided that this same principle applies to the four primary components of whole blood—red cells, white cells, plasma, and platelets—that are derived from another person’s blood. Therefore, each Christian must make his own personal decision about the use of these four primary components in all medical and surgical care.”
The article also states that Witnesses ‘do not accept transfusions of whole blood, nor do we donate blood that would be used as a whole blood transfusion to another person’, that each Christian must decide whether to donate blood ‘for the clearly expressed purpose of providing components or fractions’, and that it reflects what was shared in the 2026 Governing Body Update #6 and will appear in a future issue of The Watchtower.
Notes.The article carries the note: ‘This article reflects what was shared in the 2026 Governing Body Update #6 and will appear in a future issue of The Watchtower.’ It also states the Governing Body ‘is not authorized to “go beyond the things that are written”’ (1 Corinthians 4:6).
Abgerufen. 19. September 2026 · Quellenkennung.src-jw-2026-0918-qfr-respect-life
20. März 2026 · Peter Smith · The Associated Press
““Each Christian must decide for himself how his own blood will be used in all medical and surgical care.””
AP attributes the statement to Governing Body member Gerrit Lösch, who said ‘the Bible does not comment on the use of a person’s own blood in medical and surgical care’. The report notes the longstanding ban on transfusions from other donors remains, quotes the 2000 Watchtower (‘we do not donate blood, nor do we store for transfusion our blood’), and quotes former member Mitch Melin: ‘From my perspective, it doesn’t go far enough.’
Hinweis zu Herkunft und Überprüfung for Associated Press, Jehovah’s Witnesses ease policy on transfusions, allowing storage and use of one’s own blood
Hinweis zur Vertrauensangabe.The apnews.com page could not be opened by our automated tools; the syndicated copy on ksat.com (same AP text, byline and date) was opened on 19 September 2026 and the wording confirmed.
“The organization’s longstanding prohibition on allogeneic blood transfusion remains unchanged.”
AABB, the professional body for transfusion medicine, reported that on 20 March 2026 the Governing Body ‘updated its medical guidance’ to permit members to decide whether to undergo autologous blood collection, storage and transfusion, whereas previous guidance ‘generally did not permit storage of a patient’s own blood for later use’.
Hinweis zu Herkunft und Überprüfung for AABB (Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies) News, Jehovah’s Witnesses to Permit Autologous Blood Transfusion
Hinweis zur Vertrauensangabe.Opened on aabb.org on 19 September 2026; wording confirmed.
Die Position der Organisation oder ihre spätere Erklärung: Die Organisation bezeichnet dies als ‘an adjustment to our position on blood components’ und sagt, die leitende Körperschaft ‘is not authorized to “go beyond the things that are written”’, weil die Schriften ‘do not comment on the various products that may be derived from blood’.
18. September 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“After further prayerful consideration, the Governing Body has decided that this same principle applies to the four primary components of whole blood—red cells, white cells, plasma, and platelets—that are derived from another person’s blood. Therefore, each Christian must make his own personal decision about the use of these four primary components in all medical and surgical care.”
The article also states that Witnesses ‘do not accept transfusions of whole blood, nor do we donate blood that would be used as a whole blood transfusion to another person’, that each Christian must decide whether to donate blood ‘for the clearly expressed purpose of providing components or fractions’, and that it reflects what was shared in the 2026 Governing Body Update #6 and will appear in a future issue of The Watchtower.
Notes.The article carries the note: ‘This article reflects what was shared in the 2026 Governing Body Update #6 and will appear in a future issue of The Watchtower.’ It also states the Governing Body ‘is not authorized to “go beyond the things that are written”’ (1 Corinthians 4:6).
Abgerufen. 19. September 2026 · Quellenkennung.src-jw-2026-0918-qfr-respect-life
18. September 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“In this update, we will discuss an adjustment to our position on blood components.”
The news page announces the video update, the companion Questions From Readers article and the chart ‘Products Derived From Whole Blood’, initially in English with translations to follow. It cross-references the 2026 Governing Body Update #2 on a patient’s own blood.
Hinweis zu Herkunft und Überprüfung for JW.org News, 2026 Governing Body Update #6
Hinweis zur Vertrauensangabe.Page opened on JW.org on 19 September 2026; quotation and date confirmed. The official English captions were opened by the independent source auditor. The Associated Press reported that Governing Body member Geoffrey W. Jackson presented the update.
Herkunft des Scans.Official English captions file served from the JW.org content delivery network.
Notes.The word 'adjustment' is the JW.org page description and the press release, not the spoken update. The spoken update phrases the donation point as 'donate components or fractions derived from his own blood'; the written article and press release say 'donate blood for the clearly expressed purpose of providing components or fractions for use by another person'. The site follows the written text.
Abgerufen. 19. September 2026 · Quellenkennung.src-jw-2026-0918-gbu6
18. September 2026 · Office of Public Information, Jehovah’s Witnesses (Paul Gillies quoted) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses announced on Friday that the decision to accept red cells, white cells, plasma or platelets from another person's blood is a matter of personal conscience. Likewise, each Witness must decide whether or not to donate blood for the clearly expressed purpose of providing components or fractions for use by another person. … The long-standing refusal of whole-blood transfusions on religious grounds, a core teaching based on the command to 'abstain from blood' (Acts 15:20), is unchanged.”
Datelined Warwick, N.Y., 18 September 2026. International spokesman Paul Gillies is quoted: 'Blood remains sacred to Jehovah's Witnesses, who continue to regard life and blood as precious gifts from God. We recognize that medical decisions involving blood components are a matter of conscience between each Witness and their God, Jehovah.' The release says Witnesses 'number over nine million worldwide across more than 200 lands'.
Hinweis zu Herkunft und Überprüfung for JW.org Global News (press release), Jehovah’s Witnesses: Each Witness Now Decides Whether to Accept or Donate Main Blood Components
Hinweis zur Vertrauensangabe.Press release opened on JW.org on 19 September 2026; wording re-confirmed verbatim by the independent source auditor after an earlier transcription dropped 'on Friday' and 'or not'.
18. September 2026 · Peter Smith · The Associated Press
““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.”
AP reports that members may now receive plasma, platelets, red blood cells and white blood cells and may decide whether to donate blood for blood-product use, while whole-blood transfusion and donation for that purpose remain prohibited. Spokesman Paul Gillies is quoted: ‘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.’ AP gives US membership of 1.3 million (2025) and 9.2 million worldwide.
Hinweis zu Herkunft und Überprüfung for Associated Press, Jehovah’s Witnesses allow blood-derived products but keep ban on whole-blood transfusions
Hinweis zur Vertrauensangabe.The apnews.com page could not be opened by our automated tools; the syndicated copy on clickondetroit.com (identical AP text, same byline and date) was opened on 19 September 2026 and the wording confirmed.
In June 2000 British newspapers reported that the Governing Body had voted to allow members to accept transfusions without being disfellowshipped. The organisation said the reports were wrong: the change was ‘a minor procedural change’ by which the congregation no longer initiated disfellowshipping and an unrepentant receiver was instead treated as having disassociated, with ‘the same effect’. Both accounts are on the record, and the substance is labelled disputed here. What is verified is narrower: the mechanism changed; the consequence for the member did not.Source: The Guardian, 15. Juni 2000Source: Deseret News (Associated Press), 24. Juni 2000
Die Position der Organisation oder ihre spätere Erklärung: Medienerklärung vom 15. Juni 2000: 'a procedural change instituted in April 2000 … the end result is the same'; Watch Tower House nannte es 'a minor procedural change'.
15. Juni 2000 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society (statement); copy hosted by CESNUR
“This represents a procedural change instituted in April 2000 in which the congregation no longer initiates the action to revoke membership in such cases. However, the end result is the same”
Responds to 'an article published in the June 14, 2000, issue of a British newspaper' said to have 'incorrectly publicized' a doctrine change; 'this scriptural position has not changed'.
Hinweis zu Herkunft und Überprüfung for Jehovah's Witnesses — Official Statement to the Media on Blood Transfusions, Official Statement to the Media on Blood Transfusions
Hinweis zur Vertrauensangabe.Opened the CESNUR copy; the original jw-media.org page is no longer online. Wording corroborated by AP's report of spokesman Pellechia.
Herkunft des Scans.Copy of the statement on the CESNUR (Center for Studies on New Religions) website
15. Juni 2000 · Stephen Bates · Guardian News & Media
“The witnesses' British headquarters at Watch Tower House in north London described the decision, which will be conveyed to members at Kingdom halls across the country by letter as “a minor procedural change”.”
Reports a Governing Body vote 'of eight to four' that members accepting transfusions 'may not be automatically expelled and shunned, so long as they repent'; spokesman Paul Gillies: 'if they are no longer living by the rules they have excluded themselves'; the church said the decision 'was clarification of existing rules and a simplification of the process of excommunication'.
Hinweis zu Herkunft und Überprüfung for The Guardian, Transfusion row rocks Jehovah's Witnesses
Hinweis zur Vertrauensangabe.theguardian.com is blocked for WebFetch/WebSearch here; retrieved with curl (browser UA) and confirmed headline, byline, date (2000-06-15T00:56Z) and text. No Guardian item exists at /uk/2000/jun/14/stephenbates; the 14 June story was The Times (Ruth Gledhill).
15. Juni 2000 · Stephen Bates · Guardian News & Media
“The witnesses' British headquarters at Watch Tower House in north London described the decision, which will be conveyed to members at Kingdom halls across the country by letter as “a minor procedural change”.”
Reports a Governing Body vote 'of eight to four' that members accepting transfusions 'may not be automatically expelled and shunned, so long as they repent'; spokesman Paul Gillies: 'if they are no longer living by the rules they have excluded themselves'; the church said the decision 'was clarification of existing rules and a simplification of the process of excommunication'.
Hinweis zu Herkunft und Überprüfung for The Guardian, Transfusion row rocks Jehovah's Witnesses
Hinweis zur Vertrauensangabe.theguardian.com is blocked for WebFetch/WebSearch here; retrieved with curl (browser UA) and confirmed headline, byline, date (2000-06-15T00:56Z) and text. No Guardian item exists at /uk/2000/jun/14/stephenbates; the 14 June story was The Times (Ruth Gledhill).
15. Juni 2000 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society (statement); copy hosted by CESNUR
“This represents a procedural change instituted in April 2000 in which the congregation no longer initiates the action to revoke membership in such cases. However, the end result is the same”
Responds to 'an article published in the June 14, 2000, issue of a British newspaper' said to have 'incorrectly publicized' a doctrine change; 'this scriptural position has not changed'.
Hinweis zu Herkunft und Überprüfung for Jehovah's Witnesses — Official Statement to the Media on Blood Transfusions, Official Statement to the Media on Blood Transfusions
Hinweis zur Vertrauensangabe.Opened the CESNUR copy; the original jw-media.org page is no longer online. Wording corroborated by AP's report of spokesman Pellechia.
Herkunft des Scans.Copy of the statement on the CESNUR (Center for Studies on New Religions) website
The March 2026 update is presented as a clarification and the September 2026 update as ‘an adjustment to our position on blood components’. The accompanying article says that ‘since the Scriptures do not comment on the various products that may be derived from blood, the Governing Body recognizes that … it is not authorized to “go beyond the things that are written”’.Source: JW.org News, 18. September 2026Source: JW.org (Questions From Readers), 18. September 2026The organisation’s international spokesman said: ‘Blood remains sacred to Jehovah’s Witnesses … medical decisions involving blood components are a matter of conscience between each Witness and their God, Jehovah.’Source: JW.org Global News (press release), 18. September 2026
Erklärung der Organisation · 18. September 2026Geprüft
18. September 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“In this update, we will discuss an adjustment to our position on blood components.”
The news page announces the video update, the companion Questions From Readers article and the chart ‘Products Derived From Whole Blood’, initially in English with translations to follow. It cross-references the 2026 Governing Body Update #2 on a patient’s own blood.
Hinweis zu Herkunft und Überprüfung for JW.org News, 2026 Governing Body Update #6
Hinweis zur Vertrauensangabe.Page opened on JW.org on 19 September 2026; quotation and date confirmed. The official English captions were opened by the independent source auditor. The Associated Press reported that Governing Body member Geoffrey W. Jackson presented the update.
Herkunft des Scans.Official English captions file served from the JW.org content delivery network.
Notes.The word 'adjustment' is the JW.org page description and the press release, not the spoken update. The spoken update phrases the donation point as 'donate components or fractions derived from his own blood'; the written article and press release say 'donate blood for the clearly expressed purpose of providing components or fractions for use by another person'. The site follows the written text.
Abgerufen. 19. September 2026 · Quellenkennung.src-jw-2026-0918-gbu6
18. September 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“After further prayerful consideration, the Governing Body has decided that this same principle applies to the four primary components of whole blood—red cells, white cells, plasma, and platelets—that are derived from another person’s blood. Therefore, each Christian must make his own personal decision about the use of these four primary components in all medical and surgical care.”
The article also states that Witnesses ‘do not accept transfusions of whole blood, nor do we donate blood that would be used as a whole blood transfusion to another person’, that each Christian must decide whether to donate blood ‘for the clearly expressed purpose of providing components or fractions’, and that it reflects what was shared in the 2026 Governing Body Update #6 and will appear in a future issue of The Watchtower.
Notes.The article carries the note: ‘This article reflects what was shared in the 2026 Governing Body Update #6 and will appear in a future issue of The Watchtower.’ It also states the Governing Body ‘is not authorized to “go beyond the things that are written”’ (1 Corinthians 4:6).
Abgerufen. 19. September 2026 · Quellenkennung.src-jw-2026-0918-qfr-respect-life
Die offizielle Übersicht von 2026 ‘Products Derived From Whole Blood’ führt vier Bestandteile und sechs Fraktionen mit ihrem ungefähren Anteil am Vollblut, ihrer Funktion und ihrer Herkunft auf und stellt dem Leser Fragen; sie bezeichnet kein Produkt als annehmbar oder nicht annehmbar. Source: JW.org chart, 18. September 2026
18. September 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (publication code mrt-E, 9/26)
“ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS: What are the risks involved? What other factors would you consider before making a decision?”
The one-page chart lists plasma (about 55%), red blood cells (about 45%), albumin (about 2%), immunoglobulins (about 1%), white blood cells, platelets, clotting factors, prothrombin complex concentrate, fibrinogen and cryoprecipitate (each less than 1%), labelling each as a ‘component’ or ‘fraction’ with its function and origin. It does not label any product as acceptable or unacceptable.
Notes.The chart’s own footnotes: ‘Whole blood is made up of about 80% water’; PCC and cryoprecipitate ‘do not naturally occur in blood in this form; therefore, the percentages are approximate’.
Abgerufen. 19. September 2026 · Quellenkennung.src-jw-2026-0918-products-chart
As of 19 September 2026, the day after the announcement, JW.org’s FAQ on blood explains the position in terms of ‘blood transfusions’ and does not yet mention components, fractions or the 2026 changes.Source: JW.org Frequently Asked Questions, 19. September 2026
Was Ärztinnen und Ärzte unter einer Transfusion verstehen
The NHS describes a transfusion as a procedure in which ‘blood from someone else (a donor) goes into a vein’, and lists what patients are given as red cells, platelets and plasma, without mentioning whole blood. The World Health Organization says blood ‘can be used more effectively if it is processed into components’ and that high-income countries separate 98% of donations. A 2026 review of United States military and civilian trauma practice dates the move away from whole blood to the late Vietnam era and records its reintroduction in military and trauma resuscitation from 2017; in England, NHS Blood and Transplant has manufactured whole blood only for a pre-hospital trauma trial.Source: NHS (nhs.uk), 16. Januar 2025Source: World Health Organization fact sheet, 12. Juni 2026Source: Trauma Surgery & Acute Care Open, 2026
12. Juni 2026 · World Health Organization · World Health Organization
“Blood can be used more effectively if it is processed into components, such as red cell concentrates, platelet concentrates, plasma and cryoprecipitate. In this way, it can meet the needs of more than one patient.”
The fact sheet reports that 98% of blood collected in high-income countries is separated into components, compared with 94% in upper-middle-income, 81% in lower-middle-income and 52% in low-income countries.
Notes.Establishes that component therapy, not whole blood, is the norm in modern transfusion practice, which is why the 2026 change affects most transfusions a Witness patient is likely to be offered.
Abgerufen. 19. September 2026 · Quellenkennung.src-who-2026-0612-blood-safety
Die Organisation selbst vertrat von 1982 bis 2026, dass die vier Hauptbestandteile Blut gleichzusetzen seien. Da die meisten routinemäßigen Transfusionen Bestandteile und nicht Vollblut verwenden, erfasst die weiterhin verbotene Kategorie heute nur einen kleinen Teil der üblichen Praxis. Wie ein Patient, der Zeuge Jehovas ist, mit den Bestandteilen verfährt, ist nach der eigenen Aussage der Organisation eine persönliche Entscheidung, die ihre Veröffentlichungen von einer Billigung unterscheiden. Die vollständigen Definitionen stehen im Glossar.
Todesfälle, Gerichtsverfahren und medizinisches Risiko
Dokumentierte Einzelfälle, was Gerichte entschieden haben, was die medizinische Literatur über die Sterblichkeit bei abgelehnter Transfusion zeigt und warum es keine verlässliche weltweite Gesamtzahl der Todesfälle gibt, werden auf einer eigenen Seite mit demselben Belegmaßstab dargelegt. Dort steht auch, neben den Studien, die Aussage der Organisation, Behauptungen über viele Todesfälle pro Jahr seien „völlig unbegründet“. Die Belege zu Todesfällen, Gerichtsverfahren und Risiko lesen.
In 2000 disfellowshipping was replaced by treating the receiver as having disassociated, which the organisation called ‘a minor procedural change’.Source: The Guardian, 15. Juni 2000
Serums and gamma globulin were, from 1958, and the November 1961 answer repeated that for vaccines and serums. The same 1961 answer called ‘the entire modern medical practice involving the use of blood … objectionable’ and said that infusing ‘some blood fraction to sustain one’s life’, in place of a transfusion, ‘is wrong’. Both statements are quoted here.Source: The Watchtower, 15. September 1958Source: The Watchtower, 1. November 1961
“Bloodless medicine shows refusal is safe.”
Meta-analyses of elective cardiac surgery under patient-blood-management programmes find no significant difference in short-term mortality; the obstetric data show a large excess risk of death from major haemorrhage, and the severe-anaemia cohorts show mortality rising steeply as haemoglobin falls. Both are presented on the risk page.
“Whole blood is what the Bible forbids; components are different.”
The organisation itself held from 1982 to 2026 that the four primary components were equivalent to blood, and clinicians have used component therapy as the norm since the 1970s. The category that remains prohibited therefore covers a small share of routine practice; what remains is a personal decision, which is not the same as approval.Source: Awake!, 22. Juni 1982Source: World Health Organization fact sheet, 12. Juni 2026
“The Governing Body was only ever applying the Bible.”
That is the organisation’s position, and it is quoted in full above. The 2026 article says the Governing Body is ‘not authorized’ to go beyond what is written because the Scriptures ‘do not comment’ on blood products. It does not say why this reasoning was not applied to the same products between 1982 and 2026; it describes the change as the result of ‘further prayerful consideration’. Both wordings are above for the reader to compare.Source: JW.org (Questions From Readers), 18. September 2026
Was wir nicht überprüfen konnten
Diese Angaben sind weit verbreitet. Wir konnten die Originale nicht einsehen, deshalb werden sie hier nicht als Tatsache dargestellt. Jede ist festgehalten, damit jeder, der Zugang zu der Veröffentlichung hat, bei der Klärung helfen kann.
1. Juli 1945 · pp.198-201 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“(article not opened) — discovery sites attribute to pp. 200-201: “Among the barbarous and fierce, savage nations, such as the Scythians, Tartars, desert Arabs, Scandinavians, etc., who lived most on animal blood…””
Identified by the organisation itself (w87 3/1 p. 13 chart; jv p. 183) as the article that first set out that Christians must abstain from transfusions.
No online copy located.
Hinweis zu Herkunft und Überprüfung for The Watchtower, Immovable for the Right Worship
Hinweis zur Vertrauensangabe.Title, date and significance verified via w87 3/1 p. 13 and jv p. 183 (both opened on WOL). The article text itself was NOT opened: not on WOL; no lawful English scan found on archive.org (the 'Watchtower 1945-1946' item there is a college newspaper; the French 1945 volume has no 'transfusion'). Quoted wording is discovery-only and must be treated as unverified.
Cites Golden Age 29 Jul 1925 p. 683 (blood donors commended), Golden Age 1 May 1929 p. 502 (vaccination), Golden Age 4 Feb 1931 pp. 293-294, Consolation 25 Dec 1940 p. 19, Watchtower 15 Dec 1927 p. 371, Watchtower 1 Jul 1945 pp. 198-201.
Cites Golden Age 29 Jul 1925 p. 683; Golden Age 1 May 1929 p. 502 (labelled 'transfusions commended' — not borne out by the 1929 scan); Consolation 25 Dec 1940 p. 19; Watchtower Dec 1927 p. 371; Watchtower 1 Jul 1945 pp. 198-201.
Das häufig wiederholte Zitat, eine Transfusion könne eine 'temporary prolongation of life, but at the cost of eternal life' bringen, wurde weder in einem der beiden Artikel vom 15. September 1961 noch durch eine Phrasensuche in der Wachtturm Online-Bibliothek gefunden. Der nächstliegende überprüfte Wortlaut steht in Der Wachtturm vom 1. Juli 1951, S. 415-416: 'Any saving of life accomplished by transfusions is short-lived. And doing it in disobedience of God's commands could cost one eternal life.' Das populäre Zitat scheint diesen Wortlaut zu paraphrasieren. Source: The Watchtower, 15. September 1961Source: The Watchtower, 15. September 1961
15. September 1961 · pp.559-566 · par. 18 (p. 565) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“Lifesaving efforts by unscriptural means can never produce results of lasting good. How foolish it is to think that one can save life by violating the laws of the Life-giver!”
Par. 17 (p. 565) says Witnesses 'have no religious objections to any treatment that does not conflict with the law of God' and that other treatments are available; par. 18 adds that violating God's law jeopardises eternal life.
Hinweis zu Herkunft und Überprüfung for The Watchtower, Using Life in Harmony with the Will of God
Hinweis zur Vertrauensangabe.Opened on WOL; pars. 17-18 quoted verbatim. The 'temporary prolongation … cost of eternal life' wording is NOT present; WOL phrase searches for 'prolongation of life' and 'temporary prolongation' also fail to find it.
Notes.Use this verified sentence instead of the unlocated popular quotation.
Abgerufen. 19. September 2026 · Quellenkennung.src-w-1961-0915-using-life
Eine häufig zitierte Aussage des Wachtturms vom 1. Juni 1975 über Hämophiliepräparate konnte nicht aufgefunden werden; die Rubrik Fragen von Lesern vom 1. Juni 1975 behandelt die Ehe, und die früheste überprüfte Behandlung von Hämophiliepräparaten stammt vom 15. Juni 1978. Source: The Watchtower, 1. Juni 1975 (unverified)Source: The Watchtower, 15. Juni 1978
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Primärveröffentlichung von Jehovas ZeugenUngeprüft
1. Juni 1975 · pp.30-31 (as cited) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“(not found)”
The 1 Jun 1975 QFR on WOL is at pp. 351-352 (annual pagination) and concerns 1 Corinthians 7:29; it contains nothing on haemophilia. WOL searches for 'hemophilia', 'hemophiliacs' and 'Factor VIII' return no Watchtower item before 1984.
15. Juni 1978 · pp.29-31 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“This seems to fall into a “gray area.” Some Christians believe that accepting a small amount of a blood derivative for such a purpose would not be a manifestation of disrespect for God's law.”
Question: 'Are serum injections compatible with Christian belief?' — serums against diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis, rabies, haemophilia and Rh incompatibility; 'this question must be resolved by each individual on a personal basis'. Transfusion 'or the use of a blood component to accomplish a similar purpose' remains in conflict with 'abstain … from blood'.
Hinweis zu Herkunft und Überprüfung for Consolation, Surgery (as cited)
Hinweis zur Vertrauensangabe.The archive.org OCR volume does not contain the 25 Dec 1940 issue (no 'transfusion' hits, no Dec 1940 date strings). Only discovery sources (AJWRB, jwfacts) cite it.
Herkunft des Scans.archive.org item '1938-1940 Consolation' uploaded by a private user; OCR checked — no December 1940 issue or 'transfusion' text present
Cites Golden Age 29 Jul 1925 p. 683 (blood donors commended), Golden Age 1 May 1929 p. 502 (vaccination), Golden Age 4 Feb 1931 pp. 293-294, Consolation 25 Dec 1940 p. 19, Watchtower 15 Dec 1927 p. 371, Watchtower 1 Jul 1945 pp. 198-201.
Cites Golden Age 29 Jul 1925 p. 683; Golden Age 1 May 1929 p. 502 (labelled 'transfusions commended' — not borne out by the 1929 scan); Consolation 25 Dec 1940 p. 19; Watchtower Dec 1927 p. 371; Watchtower 1 Jul 1945 pp. 198-201.
1. Juli 1951 · pp.414-416 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“Hence the attendant administering the transfusion is feeding the patient blood through the veins, and the patient receiving it is eating it through his veins.”
15. September 1961 · pp.559-566 · par. 18 (p. 565) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“Lifesaving efforts by unscriptural means can never produce results of lasting good. How foolish it is to think that one can save life by violating the laws of the Life-giver!”
15. Juni 1978 · pp.29-31 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“This seems to fall into a “gray area.” Some Christians believe that accepting a small amount of a blood derivative for such a purpose would not be a manifestation of disrespect for God's law.”
22. Juni 1982 · pp.25-27 · Watchtower Bible and Tract Society Medical and Research Departments (reprint from JAMA 27 Nov 1981, 246(21):2471-2472) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“Techniques for intraoperative collection or hemodilution that involve blood storage are objectionable to them.”
1. März 1989 · pp.30-31 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“another Christian (who also would not let blood flow from him, be stored for some time, and later be put back into him) might conclude that a circuit with recovery from a surgical site and ongoing reinfusion would not violate his trained conscience.”
1993 · p.183 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“When transfusions of blood became an issue confronting them, The Watchtower of July 1, 1945, explained at length the Christian view regarding the sanctity of blood.”
22. Mai 1994 · p.2 · Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.
“In former times thousands of youths died for putting God first. They are still doing it, only today the drama is played out in hospitals and courtrooms, with blood transfusions the issue.”
15. Juni 2000 · Stephen Bates · Guardian News & Media
“The witnesses' British headquarters at Watch Tower House in north London described the decision, which will be conveyed to members at Kingdom halls across the country by letter as “a minor procedural change”.”
15. Juni 2000 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society (statement); copy hosted by CESNUR
“This represents a procedural change instituted in April 2000 in which the congregation no longer initiates the action to revoke membership in such cases. However, the end result is the same”
15. Juni 2004 · pp.29-31 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“when it comes to fractions of any of the primary components, each Christian, after careful and prayerful meditation, must conscientiously decide for himself.”
19. August 2019 · Duration 6 min 15 s; category ‘Endurance’ (VODIntExpEndurance); media key pub-jwb_E_201908_4_VIDEO · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Jerod was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer in the middle of 1991. We started trying to figure out how we could get him the treatment that he needed, of course, but in no way would we accept a blood transfusion, and neither would Jerod.”
“The late Vietnam era marked a turning point away from WB—which was not driven by clinical evidence, but by economic, logistical, and perceived safety advantages of blood fractionation.”
20. März 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Christians are not under the Mosaic Law. However, we obey the apostolic command to ‘abstain from blood.’ Furthermore, the Bible does not comment on the use of a person’s own blood in medical and surgical care. Therefore, like other choices about health care, each Christian must make his own decision about the use of his own blood in all medical and surgical care.”
12. Juni 2026 · World Health Organization · World Health Organization
“Blood can be used more effectively if it is processed into components, such as red cell concentrates, platelet concentrates, plasma and cryoprecipitate. In this way, it can meet the needs of more than one patient.”
18. September 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“After further prayerful consideration, the Governing Body has decided that this same principle applies to the four primary components of whole blood—red cells, white cells, plasma, and platelets—that are derived from another person’s blood. Therefore, each Christian must make his own personal decision about the use of these four primary components in all medical and surgical care.”
18. September 2026 · Office of Public Information, Jehovah’s Witnesses (Paul Gillies quoted) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses announced on Friday that the decision to accept red cells, white cells, plasma or platelets from another person's blood is a matter of personal conscience. Likewise, each Witness must decide whether or not to donate blood for the clearly expressed purpose of providing components or fractions for use by another person. … The long-standing refusal of whole-blood transfusions on religious grounds, a core teaching based on the command to 'abstain from blood' (Acts 15:20), is unchanged.”
18. September 2026 · Peter Smith · The Associated Press
““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.”
19. September 2026 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Myth: Many Witnesses, including children, die each year as a result of refusing blood transfusions. Fact: This statement is totally unfounded. Surgeons regularly perform such complex procedures as heart operations, orthopedic surgery, and organ transplants without the use of blood transfusions. Patients, including children, who do not receive transfusions usually fare as well as or better than those who do accept transfusions. In any case, no one can say for certain that a patient will die because of refusing blood or will live because of accepting it.”