Blood Transfusions

Non-denominational evangelical Christianity has no prohibition on blood transfusions. The movement does not interpret biblical passages about blood (Leviticus 17, Acts 15) as establishing medical restrictions on the use of blood in healthcare. The sanctity of human life, which is strongly affirmed across the evangelical movement, is used to support life-saving medical care including blood transfusions.

The non-denominational evangelical emphasis on human dignity and the value of life generally supports engagement with modern medicine as a God-given tool for healing and health. Unlike Jehovah's Witnesses, who regard blood transfusions as a doctrinal violation, non-denominational evangelicals view such procedures as ordinary and appropriate medical care.

There is no notable controversy around blood transfusions within the non-denominational evangelical world, and no prominent evangelical voice has argued for restrictions on this medical procedure. Individual believers are free to make their own medical decisions, and the movement provides no grounds for denying or refusing blood-based treatments.

Jehovah's Witnesses maintain an absolute doctrinal prohibition on receiving blood transfusions of whole blood or its four primary components (red cells, white cells, platelets, and plasma), based on their interpretation of the biblical commands to 'abstain from blood' (Acts 15:28-29; Acts 21:25) and not to eat blood (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:14). They extend the alimentary prohibition on consuming blood to the medical use of blood transfusions, arguing that 'taking blood into one's body' violates the same divine principle regardless of the method. This position applies equally to adults making decisions for themselves and to parents making decisions for their minor children.

Each congregation maintains a Hospital Liaison Committee to assist members in finding bloodless surgical alternatives and to communicate their religious objection to physicians and hospitals. Members are expected to carry signed medical advance directives refusing transfusions. Certain 'blood fractions' (albumin, clotting factors, immunoglobulins, hemoglobin-based products) are considered a matter of personal conscience. The prohibition has resulted in documented deaths of both adults and children who refused transfusions in life-threatening situations, and has generated ongoing legal controversy in many jurisdictions regarding parental rights and children's welfare.