Τι έλεγαν τα έντυπα των Μαρτύρων του Ιεχωβά για τη μετάγγιση αίματος από το 1945 και έπειτα, τι λένε τώρα, και ακριβώς πώς μετακινήθηκε η θέση τους. Κάθε δήλωση παρακάτω παραπέμπει στο ίδιο το κείμενο της οργάνωσης.
Τελευταίος έλεγχος 19 Σεπτεμβρίου 2026Whole blood: still prohibitedFour components: personal decision since 18 Sept 2026
Ναι, ο κανόνας άλλαξε. Τα επίσημα έντυπα απαγόρευαν ρητά τις μεταγγίσεις ολόκληρου αίματος και των τεσσάρων βασικών του συστατικών. Τον Σεπτέμβριο του 2026 το Κυβερνών Σώμα διατήρησε την απαγόρευση του ολόκληρου αίματος, αλλά κατέστησε τα ερυθρά αιμοσφαίρια, τα λευκά αιμοσφαίρια, το πλάσμα και τα αιμοπετάλια προσωπική απόφαση.
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.
Στις 19 Σεπτεμβρίου 2026, την επομένη της ανακοίνωσης, το ειδικό βιβλιάριο παραμένει στο JW.org με την υποσημείωση αμετάβλητη· θα το ελέγξουμε ξανά και θα καταγράψουμε κάθε αναθεώρηση στο μητρώο διορθώσεων. Οι «Ερωτήσεις από Αναγνώστες» του Ιουνίου 2000 το διατύπωναν εντονότερα:
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 Ιουνίου 2026Source: NHS (nhs.uk), 16 Ιανουαρίου 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.
Τότε και τώρα: ο πίνακας της πολιτικής
«Απαγορευμένο» σημαίνει ότι η οργάνωση παρουσίαζε τη θεραπεία ως αντίθετη προς τον νόμο του Θεού, όχι απλώς ως ιατρικά μη ενδεδειγμένη. Κάθε κελί παρακάτω παραπέμπει στο έντυπο στο οποίο στηρίζεται.
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.
Ο πλήρης πίνακας, χρήση προς χρήση
Οι ίδιες τέσσερις περίοδοι σε δέκα χρήσεις, μαζί με εκείνες που εύκολα περνούν απαρατήρητες: αποθηκευμένο αυτόλογο αίμα, διάσωση κυττάρων, αιμοαραίωση και αιμοδοσία.
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.
Οι αρχικοί κανόνες, οι μεταγενέστερες εξαιρέσεις, το αμφισβητούμενο επεισόδιο του 2000 και οι δύο αναθεωρήσεις του 2026. Ανοίξτε οποιαδήποτε καταχώριση για να διαβάσετε τα τεκμήρια επιτόπου.
1 Ιουλίου 1945
Δημοσιευμένη πολιτικήΑπαγορευμένο
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 Ιουλίου 1951
1 Ιουλίου 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.”
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 Σεπτεμβρίου 1958
Ανοίξτε τα τεκμήρια 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 Ιανουαρίου 1961
Ανοίξτε τα τεκμήρια 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 Σεπτεμβρίου 1961
Ανοίξτε τα τεκμήρια ‘Lifesaving efforts by unscriptural means’
15 Σεπτεμβρίου 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 Νοεμβρίου 1961
Ανοίξτε τα τεκμήρια 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 Ιουνίου 1978
Ανοίξτε τα τεκμήρια Serums and haemophilia preparations become a ‘gray area’
15 Ιουνίου 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 Ιουνίου 1982
Ανοίξτε τα τεκμήρια Components named; stored own blood ‘objectionable’
22 Ιουνίου 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 Μαρτίου 1989
Ανοίξτε τα τεκμήρια Cell salvage left to conscience; stored blood still excluded
1 Μαρτίου 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
Ανοίξτε τα τεκμήρια Brochure lists five unacceptable categories
22 Μαΐου 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 Ιουνίου 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 Ιουνίου 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 Ιουνίου 2000
Ανοίξτε τα τεκμήρια 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 Οκτωβρίου 2000
Ανοίξτε τα τεκμήρια Storing one’s own blood ‘conflicts with God’s law’
15 Ιουνίου 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
Ανοίξτε τα τεκμήρια ‘Keep Yourselves in God’s Love’ appendix
19 Αυγούστου 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 Μαρτίου 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 Σεπτεμβρίου 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 Σεπτεμβρίου 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 Σεπτεμβρίου 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 Σεπτεμβρίου 2026
Ανοίξτε τα τεκμήρια 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.
Το πιο συχνά αναφερόμενο έντυπο στην ιστορία αυτής της πολιτικής, και το πιο συχνά παρουσιασμένο λανθασμένα. Η σελίδα περιεχομένων του έλεγε ότι σε παλαιότερους καιρούς χιλιάδες νέοι πέθαναν επειδή έβαλαν τον Θεό πρώτον, και ότι «το κάνουν ακόμη», «με το ζήτημα τώρα να είναι οι μεταγγίσεις αίματος».
Τα δύο κύρια άρθρα κατονομάζουν έξι νέους. Το τεύχος καταγράφει ότι τρεις από αυτούς πέθαναν: ο Adrian Yeatts, 14· η Lenae Martinez, 12· και η Lisa Kosack, 12. Καταγράφει ότι τρεις ήταν εν ζωή κατά τον χρόνο της συγγραφής. Οι κατηγορίες αίματος που είχαν διδαχθεί να αρνούνται έγιναν προσωπικές αποφάσεις στις 18 Σεπτεμβρίου 2026.
Η ειδική σελίδα εκθέτει τι τεκμηριώνει πραγματικά το τεύχος, άτομο προς άτομο, με τις δικαστικές διαδικασίες, τις ιατρικές συμβουλές όπως τις παραθέτει το ίδιο το περιοδικό, και όσα δεν μπορούν να ειπωθούν με ειλικρίνεια για το εξώφυλλο.
Η θέση της οργάνωσης ή η μεταγενέστερη εξήγησή της: jv p. 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.'
Σημείωση προέλευσης και επαλήθευσης for The Watchtower, 'Upon the Watchtower I Am Standing' — chart 'History-Making Watchtower Articles, Decade by Decade'
Σημείωση αξιοπιστίας.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 Ιουλίου 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.
Σημείωση προέλευσης και επαλήθευσης for The Watchtower, Immovable for the Right Worship
Σημείωση αξιοπιστίας.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.
15 Ιανουαρίου 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 Νοεμβρίου 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 Σεπτεμβρίου 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.'
In June 2000 The Watchtower stated that accepting whole blood 'or any of those four primary components' (red cells, white cells, platelets, plasma) 'violates God's law', while fractions were for 'his own conscientious decision before God'. Source: The Watchtower, 15 Ιουνίου 2000
15 Ιουνίου 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'.
Σημείωση προέλευσης και επαλήθευσης for The Watchtower, Questions From Readers — Do Jehovah's Witnesses accept any medical products derived from blood?
In October 2000 The Watchtower stated that Witnesses ‘do not donate blood, nor do we store for transfusion our blood’, and that the practice of depositing one’s own blood before surgery ‘conflicts with God’s law’. Source: The Watchtower, 15 Οκτωβρίου 2000
Η θέση της οργάνωσης ή η μεταγενέστερη εξήγησή της: In March 2026 the Governing Body said the Bible ‘does not comment’ on the use of a person’s own blood; the 2000 wording was not described as an error but the position was ‘clarified’.
15 Οκτωβρίου 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.
Η θέση της οργάνωσης ή η μεταγενέστερη εξήγησή της: The September 2026 article calls the March statement a ‘Scriptural clarification’ that ‘allows each Christian to do as stated in Galatians 6:5’.
20 Μαρτίου 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.
Σημείωση προέλευσης και επαλήθευσης for JW.org News, 2026 Governing Body Update #2
Σημείωση αξιοπιστίας.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.
Προέλευση της σάρωσης.Official English captions file served from the JW.org content delivery network.
18 Σεπτεμβρίου 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).
Ημερομηνία πρόσβασης. 19 Σεπτεμβρίου 2026 · Αναγνωριστικό πηγής.src-jw-2026-0918-qfr-respect-life
20 Μαρτίου 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.’
Σημείωση προέλευσης και επαλήθευσης for Associated Press, Jehovah’s Witnesses ease policy on transfusions, allowing storage and use of one’s own blood
Σημείωση αξιοπιστίας.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’.
Σημείωση προέλευσης και επαλήθευσης for AABB (Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies) News, Jehovah’s Witnesses to Permit Autologous Blood Transfusion
Σημείωση αξιοπιστίας.Opened on aabb.org on 19 September 2026; wording confirmed.
Η θέση της οργάνωσης ή η μεταγενέστερη εξήγησή της: The organisation describes this as ‘an adjustment to our position on blood components’ and says the Governing Body ‘is not authorized to “go beyond the things that are written”’ because the Scriptures ‘do not comment on the various products that may be derived from blood’.
18 Σεπτεμβρίου 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).
Ημερομηνία πρόσβασης. 19 Σεπτεμβρίου 2026 · Αναγνωριστικό πηγής.src-jw-2026-0918-qfr-respect-life
18 Σεπτεμβρίου 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.
Σημείωση προέλευσης και επαλήθευσης for JW.org News, 2026 Governing Body Update #6
Σημείωση αξιοπιστίας.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.
Προέλευση της σάρωσης.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.
Ημερομηνία πρόσβασης. 19 Σεπτεμβρίου 2026 · Αναγνωριστικό πηγής.src-jw-2026-0918-gbu6
18 Σεπτεμβρίου 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'.
Σημείωση προέλευσης και επαλήθευσης for JW.org Global News (press release), Jehovah’s Witnesses: Each Witness Now Decides Whether to Accept or Donate Main Blood Components
Σημείωση αξιοπιστίας.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 Σεπτεμβρίου 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.
Σημείωση προέλευσης και επαλήθευσης for Associated Press, Jehovah’s Witnesses allow blood-derived products but keep ban on whole-blood transfusions
Σημείωση αξιοπιστίας.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 Ιουνίου 2000Source: Deseret News (Associated Press), 24 Ιουνίου 2000
Η θέση της οργάνωσης ή η μεταγενέστερη εξήγησή της: Media statement 15 Jun 2000: 'a procedural change instituted in April 2000 … the end result is the same'; Watch Tower House called it 'a minor procedural change'.
15 Ιουνίου 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'.
Σημείωση προέλευσης και επαλήθευσης for Jehovah's Witnesses — Official Statement to the Media on Blood Transfusions, Official Statement to the Media on Blood Transfusions
Σημείωση αξιοπιστίας.Opened the CESNUR copy; the original jw-media.org page is no longer online. Wording corroborated by AP's report of spokesman Pellechia.
Προέλευση της σάρωσης.Copy of the statement on the CESNUR (Center for Studies on New Religions) website
15 Ιουνίου 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'.
Σημείωση προέλευσης και επαλήθευσης for The Guardian, Transfusion row rocks Jehovah's Witnesses
Σημείωση αξιοπιστίας.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 Ιουνίου 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'.
Σημείωση προέλευσης και επαλήθευσης for The Guardian, Transfusion row rocks Jehovah's Witnesses
Σημείωση αξιοπιστίας.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 Ιουνίου 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'.
Σημείωση προέλευσης και επαλήθευσης for Jehovah's Witnesses — Official Statement to the Media on Blood Transfusions, Official Statement to the Media on Blood Transfusions
Σημείωση αξιοπιστίας.Opened the CESNUR copy; the original jw-media.org page is no longer online. Wording corroborated by AP's report of spokesman Pellechia.
Προέλευση της σάρωσης.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 Σεπτεμβρίου 2026Source: JW.org (Questions From Readers), 18 Σεπτεμβρίου 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 Σεπτεμβρίου 2026
Εξήγηση της οργάνωσης · 18 Σεπτεμβρίου 2026Επαληθευμένο
18 Σεπτεμβρίου 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.
Σημείωση προέλευσης και επαλήθευσης for JW.org News, 2026 Governing Body Update #6
Σημείωση αξιοπιστίας.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.
Προέλευση της σάρωσης.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.
Ημερομηνία πρόσβασης. 19 Σεπτεμβρίου 2026 · Αναγνωριστικό πηγής.src-jw-2026-0918-gbu6
18 Σεπτεμβρίου 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).
Ημερομηνία πρόσβασης. 19 Σεπτεμβρίου 2026 · Αναγνωριστικό πηγής.src-jw-2026-0918-qfr-respect-life
The official 2026 chart ‘Products Derived From Whole Blood’ lists four components and six fractions with their approximate percentage of whole blood, function and origin, and poses questions for the reader; it does not label any product as acceptable or unacceptable. Source: JW.org chart, 18 Σεπτεμβρίου 2026
18 Σεπτεμβρίου 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’.
Ημερομηνία πρόσβασης. 19 Σεπτεμβρίου 2026 · Αναγνωριστικό πηγής.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 Σεπτεμβρίου 2026
Τι εννοούν οι γιατροί με τον όρο μετάγγιση
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 Ιανουαρίου 2025Source: World Health Organization fact sheet, 12 Ιουνίου 2026Source: Trauma Surgery & Acute Care Open, 2026
12 Ιουνίου 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.
Ημερομηνία πρόσβασης. 19 Σεπτεμβρίου 2026 · Αναγνωριστικό πηγής.src-who-2026-0612-blood-safety
Η ίδια η οργάνωση υποστήριζε από το 1982 έως το 2026 ότι τα τέσσερα βασικά συστατικά ισοδυναμούσαν με αίμα. Επειδή οι περισσότερες συνήθεις μεταγγίσεις χρησιμοποιούν συστατικά και όχι ολόκληρο αίμα, η κατηγορία που παραμένει απαγορευμένη καλύπτει πλέον μικρό μέρος της καθημερινής πρακτικής. Το τι κάνει ένας ασθενής Μάρτυρας σχετικά με τα συστατικά είναι, κατά τη δήλωση της ίδιας της οργάνωσης, προσωπική απόφαση, την οποία τα έντυπά της διακρίνουν από την έγκριση. Οι πλήρεις ορισμοί βρίσκονται στο γλωσσάρι.
Θάνατοι, δικαστικές υποθέσεις και ιατρικός κίνδυνος
Οι τεκμηριωμένες μεμονωμένες περιπτώσεις, όσα αποφάσισαν τα δικαστήρια, όσα δείχνει η ιατρική βιβλιογραφία για τη θνησιμότητα όταν απορρίπτεται η μετάγγιση, και γιατί δεν υπάρχει αξιόπιστο παγκόσμιο σύνολο θανάτων, εκτίθενται σε ξεχωριστή σελίδα με το ίδιο αποδεικτικό κριτήριο. Περιλαμβάνει, δίπλα στις μελέτες, τη δήλωση της οργάνωσης ότι οι ισχυρισμοί για πολλούς θανάτους κάθε χρόνο είναι «εντελώς αβάσιμοι». Διαβάστε τα τεκμήρια για τους θανάτους, τις υποθέσεις και τον κίνδυνο.
In 2000 disfellowshipping was replaced by treating the receiver as having disassociated, which the organisation called ‘a minor procedural change’.Source: The Guardian, 15 Ιουνίου 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 Σεπτεμβρίου 1958Source: The Watchtower, 1 Νοεμβρίου 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 Ιουνίου 1982Source: World Health Organization fact sheet, 12 Ιουνίου 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 Σεπτεμβρίου 2026
Όσα δεν μπορέσαμε να επαληθεύσουμε
Αυτά τα στοιχεία κυκλοφορούν ευρέως. Δεν καταφέραμε να ανοίξουμε τα πρωτότυπα, επομένως δεν παρουσιάζονται εδώ ως γεγονός. Το καθένα καταγράφεται, ώστε όποιος έχει πρόσβαση στο έντυπο να μπορεί να βοηθήσει στη διαλεύκανσή του.
1 Ιουλίου 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.
Σημείωση προέλευσης και επαλήθευσης for The Watchtower, Immovable for the Right Worship
Σημείωση αξιοπιστίας.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.
The frequently repeated quotation that a transfusion may bring 'temporary prolongation of life, but at the cost of eternal life' was not found in either 15 September 1961 article or by a phrase search of the Watchtower Online Library. The nearest verified wording is in The Watchtower of 1 July 1951, pp. 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.' The popular quotation appears to paraphrase it. Source: The Watchtower, 15 Σεπτεμβρίου 1961Source: The Watchtower, 15 Σεπτεμβρίου 1961
15 Σεπτεμβρίου 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.
Σημείωση προέλευσης και επαλήθευσης for The Watchtower, Using Life in Harmony with the Will of God
Σημείωση αξιοπιστίας.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.
Ημερομηνία πρόσβασης. 19 Σεπτεμβρίου 2026 · Αναγνωριστικό πηγής.src-w-1961-0915-using-life
1 Ιουνίου 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 Ιουνίου 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'.
Σημείωση προέλευσης και επαλήθευσης for Consolation, Surgery (as cited)
Σημείωση αξιοπιστίας.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.
Προέλευση της σάρωσης.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 Ιουλίου 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 Σεπτεμβρίου 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 Ιουνίου 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 Ιουνίου 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 Μαρτίου 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 Μαΐου 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 Ιουνίου 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 Ιουνίου 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 Ιουνίου 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 Αυγούστου 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 Μαρτίου 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 Ιουνίου 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 Σεπτεμβρίου 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 Σεπτεμβρίου 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 Σεπτεμβρίου 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 Σεπτεμβρίου 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.”