Jehovah's Witnesses allow personal blood transfusion decisions

Jehovah's Witnesses have relaxed their blood transfusion doctrine, permitting members to make personal decisions about using their own blood during medical procedures. While the prohibition on receiving another person's blood remains unchanged, adherents can now decide whether to allow their own blood to be temporarily removed, stored, and returned during surgeries or treatments. Governing Body member Gerrit Lösch explained that scriptures don't directly address using one's own blood in clinical settings, allowing individual discretion. Practices like blood testing and dialysis were already accepted, and this update emphasizes personal responsibility while preserving core doctrine against receiving foreign blood.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/03/21/jehovahs-witnesses-relax-blood-transfusion-doctrine/