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

The Real Value of Blood

 Within each blood cells are some 300 million hemoglobin molecules. Hemoglobin represents about one third of the volume of a mature red cell. Each molecule contains the protein globin and a pigment called heme-which includes an iron atom.  When a red blood cell passes through the lungs, oxygen molecules  penetrate the cell and attach themselves to hemoglobin molecules.  Seconds later, the oxygen is discharged into the body tissue, sustaing the life of the cell.

Some manufacturers now process hemoglobin, releasing it from human or bovine red blood cells. The extracted hemoglobin is then filtered to remove impurities, chemically modified and purified, mixed with a solution, and packaged.  The end product-not yet  approved for use in most lands-is called  a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier,or HBOC looks just like  a unit of red blood cells, the primary component from which it is taken.

Unlike red blood cells, which must be  refrigerated and discarded after a few weeks, the HBOC can be stored at room temperature and used months later. And since the cell membrane with its unique antigens is gone, severe reactions  due to mismatched blood types poses no threat. However, compared with other blood fractions, the HBOC presents more challenges to conscientious Christians, who seek to obey God's law on blood. Why? As long as the HBOC  is derived from blood, there are two objections that may be raised.  One, the HBOC is the key function of a primary component of blood, the red cells.  Two, hemoglobin, from whic the HBOC is derived, makes up  a significant portion of that component.  Regarding this and similar products, then, Christians face a very serious decisiion.  They must carefully and prayerfully meditate on Bible principles concerning the sacredness of blood. With a keen desire to maintain a good relationship with Jehovah, each must be guided by his Bible-trained conscience. - GALATIANS 6:5.

Next time: The Real Value of Blood - HEMOGLOBIN MOLECULE

From the jw.org publications

The Real Value of Blood - Conclusion of Our Creator and Blood

 Jehovah's Witnesses are well known for taking these Bible commands to heart.  They reject all transfuions involving whole blood or the four primary blood components-red cells, plasma, white cells, and platelet.  As for the various fractions derived from those components-and products that contain such fractions-the Bible does not comment on these.  Therefore, each Witness makes his own personal decision on such matters.  Does this Bible-based stand mean that Witnesses reject medical treatment or view their health and life lightyly?  Not at all! 

In recent years more than a few doctors have recognized that Witnesses have benefited medically from adhering to the Bible's standard.  For instance, a spine surgeon recently spoke out in favor of choosing alternatives to blood transfusion.  He said:  "It's  absolutely the safest thing to do, not just for Witnesses, but for everyone." 

Serious health decisions can cause a great deal of stress and are often difficult to make.  Regarding the common practice of transfusion blood, note the words of respiratologist and medical director Dr. Dave Willians:  "It's important that we respect people's wishes, . . .and never more so than today.

Next time: The Real Value of Blood - What Are Hemoglobin-Based Oxygen Carriers?

From the jw.org publications

The Real Value of Blood - Our Creator and Blood

 Back in the days of Noah, an ancestor of all mankind, God laid down a remarakable law.  While granting humans the right to eat the flesh of animals, he forbade them to consume the blood.. (Genesis 9:4)  He also gave them this reason, equating blood with the soul, or life, of the creature.  He later said: ""The soul [or life] is in the blood."  In the eyes of the Creator, blood is sacred.  It represents the precious gift of life that each living soul possesses. God restated this principle again and again. - LEVITICUS  3:17; 17:10, 11, 14; DEUTERONOMY 12:16, 23. 

Shortly after Christianity was founded some 2,000 years ago, believers were given the divine commandment to  "abstain from , , , blood.:  The prohibition was based, not on health concerns. bot on the sacredness of blood. (Acts 15:19, 20, 29) argue that this God-gien restriction applies only to the eating of blood, but the word "abstain" speaks for itself.  If a doctor told us to abstain from alcohol, we truly would hardly feel at liberty to inject it into our veins.

The Bible further explains why blood is so sacred. The shed blood of Jesus Christ, repressenting the human life that he gave in behalf of mankind is key to the Christian hope.  It means forgiveness of sins and hope of eternal life.  When a Christian abstains from blood, he is in effect expressing his faith that only the shed blood of Jesus Christ can truly redeem him and save his life. - EPHESIANS 1:7.

Next time: The Real Value of Blood -Conclusion of Our Creator and Blood

From the jw.org publications

The Real Value of Blood

 "The global community shares a common life source: blood. It is the life force in all human beings, regardless of colour, race or religion." - President of the General Assembly of the United Nations. 

WITHOUT a question, there is a measure of truth in that quote.  Blood is essential to all human life. It is our soul (Leviticus, chapter 17.) It is a precious resource. Are you convinced, though that it is safe and wise for humans to share that fluid for medical purposes? 

As we have learned, worldwide safety standards are highly variable, and treatments with blood are riskier than many assume.  Furthermore, physicians differ widely in their use of blood because of education, skills, and viewpoints. Yet,many are increasingly cautious about transfusion blood.  A significant and growing number of doctors are showing a preference for medical treatments that avoid the use of blood.

That brings us backc to a question posed at the outset of the first article of the series.  Just what  is it that makes blood so valuable?  If the medical use of blood is increasingly questionable, that another purpose that blood fulfills? 

Next time: The Real Value of Blood - Our Creator and Blood

From the jw.org publications

Transfusion Medicine - Is Its Future Secure?

 Alternatives to Blood Transfusion

Over the past six years, Hospital Liaison Committees for Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide have distributed tens of thousands of copies of the video program Transfusion-Alternative Strategies-Simple, Safe, Effective in some 25 languages to those within the medical community.  The program shows world-renowned physicians discussing effective strategies currently used to treat patients without blood transfusions.  People are taking note.  For example,  after viewing the program in late 2001, the National Blood Service (NBS) in the United Kingdom sent a letter with a copy of this video  to all blood-bank managers and consultant hematologists throughout the country.   They were encouraged to watch the program because of  "increasing recognition that one of the aims of good clinical care is to avoid blood transfusion wherever possible." The letter acknowledged that "the general message [in the video] is praiseworthy and is one of the NBS strongly supports."

Fractionation-The Use of Blood's Lesser Ingredients in Medicine

Science and technology make it possible to identify and extract elements from blood through a process called fractionation. To illustrate: Seawater, which is 96 percent water, can be divided through fractionation processes in order to capture the remaining substances present, such as magnesium, bromine and of course, salt.  Likewise, blood plasma, which makes up more than half the volume of whole blood, is over 90 percent water and can be processed to harvest fractions including proteins, such as albumin, fibrinogen, and various globulin. 

As part of a treatment or therapy, a doctor might recommend concentrated amounts of plasma fraction.  An example of such  is protein-rich cryoprecipitate, which is obtained by freezing and then thawing plasma.  This insoluable portion of plasma is rich in coagulation factors and is usually given to patients to stop bleeding.  Other treatments may involve a product that contains a blood fraction, whether in trace amounts or as a primary ingredient.  Some plasma proteins are used in routine  injections that can help to increase immunity after exposure to infectious agents. Nearly all blood fractions being used in medical applications consist of the proteins found in blood plasma. 

According to Science News, "scientists have identified only several hundred of the estimated thousands of proteins tyically cursing through a person's bloodstream." As understanding of blood grows in the future. new products derived from these proteins may emerge. 

Next time: The Real Value of Blood

From the jw.org publications

Transfusion Medicine -Is Its Future Secure? - Conclusion of The Composition of Blood

 RED BLOOD CELLS  (erythrocytes) constitute between 38 and 48 percent of whole blood.  These cells keep tissue alive by bringing oxygen to it and taking carbon dioxide away.

Just as blood plasma can a source of various fractions, other primary components  can be processed to isolate small parts, or fractions.  For example, hemoglobin is  a fraction of the red blood cell. 

PLASMA

WATER 91.5% 

PROTEINS 7% 

ALBUMINS 

GLOBULINS

FIBRINOGEN

OTHER SUBSTANCES 1.5% 

NUTRIENTS 

HARMONES

RESPIRATORY GASES

ELECTROLYTES 

VITAMINS

NITROGENOUS WASTES

blood components in circles:  This project has been funded in whole or in part with federal funds from the National Cancer Institute. National Institutes of Health, under contract NO!-CO- 12400.  The contents of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or  policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, not does mention of trades names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Next time: Transfusion Medicine - Is Its Future Secure? - Alternatives to Blood Transfusion

From the jw.org publications

Transfusion Medicine - Is Its Future Secure? - The Compositiion of Blood

Blood donors generally give whole blood.  In many cases, though, they donate plasma.  While some countries transfuse whole blood, more commonly, blood is separated into its primary components before it is tested and used in transfusion medicine.  Note the four primary components, their function, and the percentage of total blood volume each represents. 

PLASMA constitutes between 52 and 62 percent of whole blood.  It is a straw-colored fluid in which blood cells, proteins, and other substances  are suspended and transported. 

Water constitutes 91.5 percent of plasma.   Proteins, from which plasma fractions are derived constitute 7 percent of the plasma (including albumins, which make up about  4 percent of the plasma; globulins, about 3 percent; and fibrinogen, less than 1 percent). The remaining 1.5 percent of plasma is made up of other substances,  such as nutrients, hormones., respiratory gases, electrolytes, vitamins, and nitrogenous wastes. 

WHITE BLOOD CELLS  (Leukocytes) constitutes less than 1 percent of whole blood.  These attack and destroy potentially harmful foreign matter. 

PLATLETS  (thrombocytes) constitutes less than 1 percent of whole blood.  These form clots;  blocking blood from exiting wounds. 

Next time: Transfusion Medicine -Is Its Future Secure? -Conclusion of The Composition of Blood

From the jw.org publications

Transfusion Medicine -Is Its Future Secure?

 Death by TRALI

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), first reported in the early 1990's, is a life-threatening immune reaction following a blood transfusion.  It is now known that TRALI causes hundreds of deaths each year.  Experts, however, suspect that the numbers are much higher, as many health-care workers do not recognize the symptoms.  Although it is not quite clear what causes the reaction, according to the magazine New Scientist, the blood that causes it "appears to come primarily  from people who have been exposed to  a variety of blood groups in the past, such as . . . people who have had multiple transfusions." One report states that TRALI is now clear to the top of the list for causes of transfusion-related deaths in the United States and Britain, making it "a bigger problem for blood banks than high-profile diseases like HIV." 

Next time: Transfusion Medicine - Is Its Future Secure? - The Composition of Blood

From the jw.org publications

Transfusion Medicine - Is Its future Secure?

 Will Medicine Change?

'If transfusion medicine is always so fraught with dangers,' you might wonder,' why is blood still used so extensively, particularly when there are alternatives?' One reason is that many doctors are simply reluctant to change treatment methods or are unaware of therapies that are currently used as alternatives to transfusions.  According to an article in the Journal Transfusion,  "physicians make transfusion decisions based upon their past teaching, enculturation, and 'clinical judgment." 

A surgeon's skills also make a difference.  Dr. Beverly Hunt, of London England, writes that "blood loss is highly variable between surgeons, and there is increasing interest in training surgeons in adequate surgical hemostasis [methods to stop  bleeding]." Others claim that the costs of transfusion alternatives are too high, although reports are emerging that prove otherwise.  Many doctors, however, would agree with the medical director   Dr. Michael Rose, who says: " Any patients who receives bloodless medicine is, in essence, the recipient of the highest quality surgery that is possible.

The highest quality of medical care-is that not what you would want?  If so, you have something in common with the people who brought you this magazine. Please read on to learn about their  remarkable stance on the matter of blood transfusions. 

Next time: Transfusion Medicine-Is Its Future Secure? - Death by TRALI

From the jw.org publications