Jehovah’s Witnesses take direction regarding medical procedures from what they understand the Bible allows. For a long time, Jehovah’s Witnesses were told not to have organ transplants. However, this view has changed over time.
Quick Answers
– For much of their history, Jehovah’s Witnesses were told not to have organ transplants.
– This was based on their understanding of Bible principles related to blood.
– In 1980, Jehovah’s Witnesses were given more freedom to make personal medical decisions.
– Now, Witnesses may choose to have organ transplants if their conscience permits.
– However, Witnesses are not permitted to donate organs or store blood for their own later use.
Early Stance on Organ Transplants
For many years, Jehovah’s Witnesses were told not to have organ transplants. This was based on their understanding of Bible principles regarding blood.
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the Bible prohibits ingesting blood. This includes accepting whole blood or its primary components (red cells, white cells, platelets, and plasma) at any time for any reason. (Acts 15:28, 29) Witnesses also do not donate or store their own blood for later use.
Because organ transplant procedures may involve the transfusion of whole blood or some of its primary components, Witnesses understood them to be against Bible principles. So for many years, Jehovah’s Witnesses were told not to have organ transplants.
Changes in Understanding
In the 1960s, the stand on organ transplants began to change subtly. An article in The Watchtower of March 1, 1961, said: “There is no Biblical command pointedly forbidding the transplanting of organs from one human to another.” Still, Witnesses were told that accepting transplants involving blood was unacceptable.
Further changes came in 1980. The Watch Tower Society—the legal entity used by Jehovah’s Witnesses—explained that organ transplants were a matter for Christians to decide personally, based on Bible principles. *The Watchtower* of March 15, 1980, said: “There is no Biblical command pointedly forbidding the transplanting of human organs from one human to another.” It added that Christians could decide for themselves on organ transplants, “in the light of the Scriptural principles involved.”
This updated direction gave Witnesses more freedom and personal choice regarding organ transplants. Let’s look at some of the key factors involved.
Key Factors in Making Personal Decisions
Jehovah’s Witnesses who are considering organ transplants must weigh Bible principles carefully. Some key factors are:
- The transplant procedure itself
- The risk of subsequent blood transfusions
- Alternatives without blood
- Their own conscience and health situation
Witnesses avoid treatments that directly or indirectly take blood. So they consider the specific transplantation procedures and risks involved. They also research bloodless surgery options.
Witnesses may also weigh factors like the possibility of mortality, the prospect of improved health, and personal family matters. Then they make personal decisions before God based on their Bible-trained conscience.
Allowed Procedures
Many kinds of transplants do not require blood transfusions or use blood components. These include:
- Corneal (eye tissue)
- Bone
- Skin grafts
- Kidney
- Liver
- Stem cells*
*Stem cells can be harvested fromtissue, umbilical cords, placentas, or the patient’s own blood andbone marrow.
Witnesses who prayerfully choose to have an approved transplant show that this is a matter for personal decision, not a doctrine of their faith. Still, Witnesses avoid any transplant that requires blood or blood components.
Factors in Donating Organs
Though they may accept transplants that meet Biblical requirements, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not donate organs. Why not?
Donating organs would require blood storage. Blood removed from the body must undergo processing and storage. In most cases, donated blood is also transfused into the recipient. Jehovah’s Witnesses avoid donating blood or storing their blood for later use, in harmony with Bible principles.
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that blood represents life and is sacred to God. (Leviticus 17:10, 11) So out of respect for life and for God, Witnesses do not donate organs or store their blood.
Respecting Personal Decisions
The Witnesses’ stance on transplants shows respect for life, godly principles, and personal choice. It also shows that Witnesses do not have rigid rules on medical care.
Rather than binding members’ consciences, the faith provides education from the Bible. Each Witness makes a personal decision before God regarding medical treatments, such as transplants.
Of course, no one should feel pressured to accept treatments that go against their conscience. This includes organ transplants. Doctors must respect each patient’s personal choice in such matters.
Conclusion
Jehovah’s Witnesses seek the best medical care that is in harmony with God’s Word. They avoid treatments involving blood, including blood transfusions. For many years this also ruled out organ transplants.
Now, however, Witnesses may personally decide whether to accept transplants, based on their understanding of Bible principles.
Witnesses carefully research all transplant options. If the procedure can be done without blood transfusions, a Witness may choose to accept it after prayerful consideration.
However, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not donate organs or store blood for later use. They consistently apply Bible principles in these matters.
Overall, Witnesses show respect for life, godly principles, and personal choice in making health decisions that harmonize with the Bible and their conscience.
| Year | Position on Organ Transplants for Jehovah’s Witnesses |
|---|---|
| Before 1961 | Not specifically addressed, but transplants were avoided if they involved blood |
| 1961-1980 | No biblical prohibition, but blood transplants unacceptable |
| 1980-Present | Personal choice based on bible principles and conscience |
References
Should You Accept a Transplant of an Organ or Tissue? https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/organ-transplants/
How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses View Blood Transfusions? https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/jehovahs-witnesses-why-no-blood-transfusions/
Organ Transplants—A Complex Issue for Christians. The Watchtower. November 15, 2004. https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/watchtower-study-november-2004/organ-transplants-a-complex-issue-for-christians/
Questions From Readers. The Watchtower. March 1, 1961. https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1961182
Questions From Readers. The Watchtower. March 15, 1980. https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1980187