Jehovah’s Witnesses have partly eased their long-standing prohibition on the medical use of donated blood, allowing members to receive products derived from blood but maintaining a ban on transfusions of whole blood – the second revision this year for the religious organisation, reports The Associated Press.
The new policy says followers can receive products derived from blood donated by other people: they are now allowed to receive medical treatments that involve the use of the four main components of whole blood: plasma, platelets and red and white blood cells.
It also allows members to decide – as a matter of individual conscience – whether to donate blood to be used for blood products for the medical treatment of others.
But the organisation continues to oppose members receiving transfusions of whole blood or donating blood for that purpose.
In an earlier revised policy this year, its governing body gave the go-ahead for members to have their blood stored for their own future medical treatment, but not for others’.
Critics have faulted the organisation for prohibiting the use of a proven treatment that can be lifesaving in replenishing blood lost in surgeries, accidents or violence. Critics, including former church members, say that the teaching has led to preventable deaths.
Plasma, the liquid component of blood, is often used for patients suffering from trauma or certain diseases, according to the American Red Cross.
Red cells can be used to treat conditions like anaemia, and white cells to treat certain infections. Platelets are used in some cancer and other treatments.
Jehovah’s Witnesses share many Christian beliefs with other churches but are almost alone in their beliefs about blood transfusions. They have a worldwide membership of 9.2m in more than 200 countries and territories.
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