In an update released Friday, September 18, the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses announced a change to its blood transfusion policy.
According to the statement, members may now decide for themselves, based on personal conscience, whether to accept or donate the four main blood components: red cells, white cells, plasma, and platelets.
This marks the second adjustment this year to one of the group’s most distinctive and closely watched teachings. Both statements were issued from the organization’s World Headquarters in Warwick, New York. 
SEE ALSO: Jehovah’s Witness Church Has Softened Their Blood Transfusion Rule – Here’s What They Allow Now
What Has Changed
According to the official announcement:
• Accepting red cells, white cells, plasma, or platelets from another person’s blood is now a matter of individual conscience.
• Members must also decide personally whether to donate blood specifically so that these components or fractions can be used by others.
The long-standing refusal of whole-blood transfusions remains firmly in place. This position continues to rest on the biblical directive to “abstain from blood” found in Acts 15:20.
Paul Gillies, international spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses, explained the reasoning:
“Blood remains sacred to Jehovah’s Witnesses, who continue to regard life and blood as precious gifts from God. We recognise that medical decisions involving blood components are a matter of conscience between each Witness and their God, Jehovah.”
Local congregations will not intervene in these personal decisions. The organization said it will,
“continue to respect and support the personal decisions of our fellow believers.”
The Previous Policy Shift
This latest clarification follows an earlier update issued in March 2026. At that time, the governing body stated that members could decide for themselves whether their own blood could be removed, stored, and later returned during medical procedures.
The organization noted that the new guidance follows the same logic applied previously to blood fractions. It says this is because the Bible does not specifically address these particular medical decisions; they fall under individual conscience.
Jehovah’s Witnesses emphasize that they:
“Love life and want the best available medical care.”
They do not practice faith healing and actively seek physicians willing to provide effective treatment while respecting their beliefs and wishes.
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