NEW YORK / ABUJA — In a major doctrinal update, the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses has announced a policy adjustment regarding the use of blood, reclassifying decisions on the four primary components of blood—red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, and platelets—as matters of personal conscience for each member.
The global announcement, made on Friday, September 18, 2026, expands individual decision-making to primary donor blood components, as well as permitting members to donate blood intended for medical therapies.
However, the religious organization reaffirmed that its core prohibition against the transfusion of whole blood remains unchanged based on their Biblical interpretation to “abstain from blood” (Acts 15:20).
The announcement marks the second major adjustment to the organization’s medical stance this year, following a March 2026 update that allowed autologous blood collection (preoperative collection and storage of a patient’s own blood for later reinfusion).
“Each Christian must make his own personal decision about the use of these four primary components in all medical and surgical care,” stated Geoffrey W. Jackson, a member of the Governing Body. “We recognize that medical decisions involving blood components are a matter of conscience between each Witness and their God, Jehovah.”
