Objection · Case 12 · Jehovah’s Witnesses
The March change wasn’t new. The Governing Body itself said its position on a person’s own blood dates to the October 15, 2000 Watchtower.
One objection from the free evidence repository at apologetics.pro.
Response
That is partly right. Since 2000, the handling of a person’s own blood during surgery, tests, or ongoing therapy has been left to conscience. What changed in March 2026 was storage: collecting a person’s blood in advance and giving it back later, which previous guidance generally did not permit. Calling the change a “clarification” doesn’t alter the fact that members may now do something they were previously expected to refuse.
About this exhibit
This objection is to Questions From Readers, “How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Show Respect for Life?”.
The Watchtower’s own article states that each Christian must now make a personal decision about red cells, white cells, plasma, and platelets from another person’s blood, and about donating blood…
Under Claim 15: The Watchtower’s blood doctrine has shifted repeatedly, and in 2026 it moved twice.