No prohibition; individual medical decisions are matters of personal conscience
The UUA has no doctrine prohibiting blood transfusions. The UUA affirms the right of individuals to make their own medical decisions and would not impose any religious restriction on the receipt of blood transfusions or other medical procedures. The UUA's affirmation of human dignity, bodily autonomy, and scientific and medical knowledge all support the acceptance of modern medical care, including blood transfusions.
The UUA has been active on medical ethics issues — particularly around end-of-life care, reproductive rights, and patient autonomy — but always in the direction of affirming the individual's right to make informed decisions about their own body, free from religious coercion. A prohibition on blood transfusions would be entirely inconsistent with the UUA's values and commitments.
No UU congregation or fellowship imposes any restriction on blood transfusions, and members who receive them are subject to no form of community concern or discipline. This is not an issue in UU life.
Key Distinctions
- Official position:
- permitted — no religious prohibition on blood transfusions
- Scriptural basis:
- Acts 15:29 understood as dietary rule, not medical; love of neighbour supports medical care
Scripture References
Sources
- UUA First Principle: Inherent Worth and Dignity; UUA medical ethics resources