The Real Value of Blood

 HEMOGLOBIN MOLECULE

An Inviting Option

"A growing number of hospitals are offering an alternative: 'bloodless surgery,' reported The Wall Street Journal."  Originally developed to accommodate Jehovah's Witnesses," states the journal, "the practice has gone mainstream, with many hospitals promoting their bloodless surgery programs  to the general public."  Hospitals around the world are discovering numerous benefits, particulary to patients, when implementin stratigies that curtail the use of blood transfusions.  Currently, thousands of doctors are treating patients without resorting to transfusions. 

Jehovah's Witnesses, some of whom are physicians and nurses, are known worldwide for their rejection of transfusions involving whole bloodor primary blood components.  Does their unted stand against this practice stem  for a man-made doctrine or a belief that a person's faith can heal medical ailments?  That is far from the truth.

Cherishing their life as a gift from God, the Witnesses strive to do their best to live according to the Bible, which they believe is "inspired of God." (2 Timothy 3:16. 17; Revelation 4:11)  That book encourages worshippers of God to avoid practices and habits that harm health or endanger life, such as overeating, smoking, or chewing tobacco, abusing alcohol, and using drugs for recreational purposes. - PROVERBS 23:20; 2 CORINTHIANS 7:1.

By keeping our body and surrounding clean and getting some physical  exercise for health reasons, we are acting in harmony  with Bible principles.  (Matthew 7:12; 1 Timothy 4:8)  When Jehovah's Witnesses get sick, they demonstrate reasonableness by seeking medical care and accepting the vast majority of available treatment options. ( Philippians 4:5)  True, they obey the Bible command to "keep abstaining" from . . . blood," insisting on nonblood medical management.  (Acts 15:29)  And this choice often results in a higher quality of treatment. 

Next time: Medical Alternatives to Blood Transfusions

From the jw.org  publications