Jehovah’s Witnesses, the international Christian religious movement known for its strict stance against blood transfusions, has announced a significant change to its long held medical policy. For the first time in decades, the organization is allowing members to store and use their own blood, a practice called autologous blood transfusion for planned surgical procedures if they choose.
For more than 70 years, Jehovah’s Witnesses leaders have strictly prohibited members from accepting blood transfusions, including storing their own blood for later use. The religious belief was built on a particular interpretation of biblical commands to “abstain from blood,” which the group applied not only to donor transfusions but also to practices like pre‑depositing one’s own blood before surgery.
On March 20, 2026, the faith’s Governing Body described the change as a “clarification” of their doctrine, affirming that individual members may now decide, after prayerful consideration, whether to have their own blood drawn, stored, and later reinfused during a surgical procedure.
“This includes whether to allow his own blood to be removed, stored, and then given back to him,” said Governing Body member Gerrit Lösch in a statement shared by the denomination.
While this update represents an important shift, Jehovah’s Witnesses still prohibit receiving blood from other donors, a medical practice that is widely used in emergency care and major trauma cases. This prohibition remains rooted in the religion’s interpretation of scripture.
The organization emphasized that its core belief in the sacredness of blood remains unchanged, even as it expands members’ individual choice over certain medical treatments.
Autologous blood donation is a medically accepted practice in many healthcare systems. Before a scheduled surgery, a patient can have units of their own blood collected and stored so that it can be given back to them if needed during or after the operation. This can reduce the risk of reactions and infection associated with donor blood.
However, this procedure is only useful in planned surgeries, not emergencies, and requires facilities capable of storing blood properly.
This blood policy adjustment marks one of the most talked‑about changes in Jehovah’s Witnesses medical doctrine in decades. It reflects a delicate balance between maintaining religious beliefs and adapting to modern medical practices.