Blood, the one liquid no human can live without. During emergency situations or in other medical conditions blood transfusions are used to help save a person. Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse blood transfusions, not because they don’t view life as precious, but because of scriptures found in the Bible.

When God gave Israel the Law Code, he said that anyone that partook of blood would be cut off from his or her family (Leviticus 17: 10, 11). Also in Acts 15:29 God commanded his servants to “keep abstaining…from blood.” So, to Jehovah’s Witnesses, eating or receiving any type of blood transfusion would go against God’s commandment.

While Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t except blood transfusions, they do want the best medical care available. Because of their religious stand, numerous advancements have been made in bloodless medicine. Jehovah’s Witnesses do except blood expanders, Ringer’s solution, and other non-blood products.

Human-to-human blood transfusions began after World War II. Then, in the 1980s, because of blood containing the HIV virus, doctors realized that blood transfusions could transmit diseases. In 1991, because of risks associated with blood transfusions, the Patient’s Right Act to Self-Determination was passed allowing patients to refuse blood transfusions. Since then, patients receiving blood transfusions must sign a consent form. While blood transfusions are much safer than they were in years past, reactions such as fever, increased heart rate, respiratory problems, and even death can occur from blood transfusions.

When Jehovah’s Witnesses were able to refuse blood transfusions, it made doctors have to develop new ways to care for patients without using blood. Dr. Shander, a critical care anesthesiologist, stated, “The best transfusion is no transfusion.” With more patients besides Jehovah’s Witnesses wanting safer alternatives for blood transfusions, over 120 hospitals in the United States have a Blood Conservation Program.

Pam Ruyle, the Blood Conservation Coordinator at Phoebe Putney, stated that bloodless medicine is “very effective and it saves lives.” All types of surgeries from liver transplants to spine correction can be performed without blood.

According to Ruyle, bloodless medicine “benefits the patient and hospital.” Patients recover quicker from surgery and have less risk to infection when no blood is used. For hospitals, bloodless medicine helps save money since blood is costly, and because there are blood shortages all over the world.

1 Samuel 15:22 says, “…Look! To obey is better than a sacrifice, to pay attention better than the fat of rams.” Jehovah’s Witnesses feel that by adhering to God’s commandment to refrain from taking blood they are able to please him.