Blood fractions
 |
 |
Before we go into the problem of blood transfusion, we first want to say a few words about the blood components and fractions itself. We find it important for the reader to go into more details to illustrate how unstable and unpredictable are the interpretations that the Watchtower Society has been propagating for many years.
Blood components were rejected and forbidden by the Watchtower Society from 1944-1945, and it remains unchanged until now. However, the policy concerning blood fractions is a different story. They were rejected since the 1944-1945, but from the late 1960s, and especially the 1970s, blood fractions have been accepted.
Initially, the Watchtower Society did not allow its followers to accept the “blood fractions” as well as its basic components and blood transfusion. This view was in force from the mid-1940s:
We are told it takes one and a third pints of whole blood to get enough of the blood protein or “fraction” known as gamma globulin for one injection. And since from the foregoing it must be admitted that such use of human blood is highly questionable, what justification can there be for the use of gamma globulin? Further, those interested in the Scriptural aspect will note that its being made of whole blood places it in the same category as blood transfusions as far as Jehovah’s prohibition of taking blood into the system is concerned. – See Leviticus 17:10-14; Acts 15:20, 28, 29. (Awake! January 8, 1954 p. 24).
While this physician argues for the use of certain blood fractions, particularly albumin, such also come under the Scriptural ban. (Awake! September 8, 1956 p. 20).
Although Jehovah’s witnesses will not eat blood as a food, nor in medical use consent to any kind of blood transfusion or, in place of it, an infusion of any blood fraction or blood substance, this does not rule out all medical treatment. (Blood, Medicine and the Law of God 1961 p. 39).
Is God’s law violated by such medical use of blood? Is it wrong to sustain life by infusions of blood or plasma or red cells or the various blood fractions? Yes! (The Watchtower September 15, 1961 p. 558).
In the case of other products, a similar procedure may be followed. If you have reason to believe that a certain product contains blood or a blood fraction, ask the one who sells it. If he does not know, write to the manufacturer. Sometimes labels show whether a blood fraction is used, but not always. For example, a label may say that a certain product contains albumin. Does that mean that it contains a blood fraction? Look up the word albumin in a good reference book, perhaps an encyclopedia in your local library or even a good dictionary. You will learn that albumin is found, not only in blood serum, but also in milk and eggs. The only way to find out the source of the albumin in the particular product in question is to make inquiry of those who prepare it. However, if the label says that certain tablets contain hemoglobin, similar checking will reveal that this is from blood; so a Christian knows, without asking, that he should avoid such a preparation. Clearly, these are matters that each individual can best check on locally. (The Watchtower November 1, 1961 p. 669).
Or the doctor may tell him, “What you need is red cells to carry oxygen. We have red cells that we can use. How about that?” The Christian may not be well versed in medical matters. Shall he call his congregation servant or the Society? That should not be necessary if he is prepared to carry his own load of responsibility. He need only ask the doctor: “From what was the plasma taken?” “How are the red cells obtained?” “Where did you get this substance?” If the answer is “Blood,” he knows what course to take, for it is not just whole blood but anything that is derived from blood and used to sustain life or strengthen one that comes under this principle. (The Watchtower February 15, 1963 p. 124).
In a letter that Dr. Jerome H. Kay of Los Angeles wrote to Awake! magazine in November 1973, he also noted that his team now performs bloodless open-heart surgery on the majority of all his patients. Dr. Kay added: “It has been a pleasure operating upon patients who are Jehovah’s Witnesses. We do not give these patients any blood or blood substitutes.” (Awake! June 22, 1974 p. 20).
Interestingly, at least in one statement from the late 1950s the Watchtower Society allowed the use of blood fractions. Moreover, they admitted they changed its standpoint on this:
Are we to consider the injection of serums such as diphtheria toxin antitoxin and blood fractions such as gamma globulin into the blood stream, for the purpose of building up resistance to disease by means of antibodies, the same as the drinking of blood or the taking of blood or blood plasma by means of transfusion? (...) No, it does not seem necessary that we put the two in the same category, although we have done so in times past. (...) The injection of antibodies into the blood in a vehicle of blood serum or the use of blood fractions to create such antibodies is not the same as taking blood, either by mouth or by transfusion, as a nutrient to build up the body’s vital forces. While God did not intend for man to contaminate his blood stream by vaccines, serums or blood fractions, doing so does not seem to be included in God’s expressed will forbidding blood as food. It would therefore be a matter of individual judgment whether one accepted such types of medication or not. (The Watchtower September 15, 1958 p. 575, emphasis added).
Especially in the 1970s, the Watchtower Society gradually began to change the decision and allow to use some of the blood fractions, e.g. those included in medicines. With time this change has been extended to all fractions:
Is it proper for a Christian to accept medical treatment involving a serum prepared from blood? (…) We believe that here the conscience of each Christian must decide. Some may feel that accepting such a serum does not constitute an act of disrespect for the sacredness of life and of God as the life Source, that it does not constitute a flouting of God’s expressed will concerning the use of blood to feed the body. On the other hand, the conscience of others may call on them to reject all such serums. (The Watchtower June 1, 1974 pp. 351-352).
It acknowledged that the medical profession is increasingly turning from the use of whole blood transfusions. Instead, human blood is being separated into primary components that can be transfused—red cells, white cells, platelets and plasma. On this we said: “We believe that the use of blood as a [life-sustaining] transfusion, or the use of a blood component to accomplish a similar purpose, is obviously in conflict with the Scriptural command to ‘abstain . . . from blood.’ (Acts 15:20)”
What, however, about accepting serum injections to fight against disease, such as are employed for diphtheria, tetanus, viral hepatitis, rabies, hemophilia and Rh incompatibility? This seems to fall into a ‘gray area.’ Some Christians believe that accepting a small amount of a blood derivative for such a purpose would not be a manifestation of disrespect for God’s law; their conscience would permit such. (Compare Luke 6:1-5.) Others, though, feel conscientiously obliged to refuse serums because these contain blood, though only a tiny amount. Hence, we have taken the position that this question must be resolved by each individual on a personal basis. We urge each one to strive to have a clear conscience and to be responsive to God’s guidance found in His Word. (The Watchtower June 15, 1978 pp. 30-31).
While these verses are [from the Bible – the author’s note] not stated in medical terms, Witnesses view them as ruling out transfusion of whole blood, packed RBCs, and plasma, as well as WBC and platelet administration. However, Witnesses’ religious understanding does not absolutely prohibit the use of components such as albumin, immune globulins, and hemophiliac preparations; each Witness must decide individually if he can accept these. (Awake! June 22, 1982 p. 25).
While these verses are not stated in medical terms, Witnesses view them as ruling out transfusion of whole blood, packed RBCs, and plasma, as well as WBC and platelet administration. However, Witnesses’ religious understanding does not absolutely prohibit the use of components such as albumin, immune globulins, and hemophiliac preparations; each Witness must decide individually if he can accept these. (How Can Blood Save Your Life? 1990 p. 27).
The above material shows that Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse transfusions of both whole blood and its primary blood components. (...) Beyond that, when it comes to fractions of any of the primary components, each Christian, after careful and prayerful meditation, must conscientiously decide for himself. (The Watchtower June 15, 2000 p. 31).
Are fractions also covered by the command to abstain from blood? We cannot say. The Bible does not give specific direction on the subject of fractions. Of course, many fractions are derived from blood that has been donated for medical purposes. Each Christian should make a conscientious decision as to whether he or she will accept or will reject the medical use of these substances. When making such decisions, consider the following questions: Am I aware that refusing all blood fractions means that I will not accept some medications, such as certain ones that fight viruses and diseases or that help blood to clot in order to stop bleeding? Could I explain to a physician why I reject or accept the use of certain blood fractions? (Our Kingdom Ministry No. 11, 2006 p. 3).
In the book “Keep Yourselves in God’s Love” (2008), on page 216 reader can find the table that lists the blood fractions (obtained from red blood cells, white blood cells, blood platelets and plasma), that can be ingested by “personal decision”. See the following paragraph below:
Should Christians accept therapies incorporating blood fractions? The Bible does not give specific details, so each one must make his own conscientious decision before God. Some would refuse all fractions, reasoning that God’s Law to Israel required that blood removed from a creature be poured “out on the ground.” (Deuteronomy 12:22-24) Others, while refusing transfusions of whole blood or its major components, might accept treatments involving a fraction. They may reason that at some point fractions that have been extracted from blood cease to represent the life of the creature from which the blood was taken. (“Keep Yourselves in God’s Love” 2008 pp. 215-216).
Jehovah’s Witnesses cannot become blood donors (for those who do not share JWs’ views), even if the blood would be solely used to obtain a blood fraction or produce medicine made out of blood:
At times the request is for blood that is to be used in giving blood transfusions. However, it is our understanding of the Bible’s command to “abstain . . . from blood” that it should not be eaten or used in any other way. Therefore, as a matter of conscience, we do not give or accept blood.—Genesis 9:4-6; Leviticus 17:10-14; Acts 15:19, 20, 28, 29. (School and Jehovah’s Witnesses 1983 p. 25).
Although Jehovah’s Witnesses do not donate blood themselves, referring to the Bible, they use blood products derived from stored and processed blood from honorary blood donors.
|
|
