Jehovah’s Witness: Blood Transfusions By: GLT

Who are they? A Christian denomination with unique interpretations of a number of biblical passages A group of people that revere the bible (the New World Translation) as their holy scripture People that have experienced God’s actions in their own lives and want to tell others about their experience

What does It mean? Jehovah – God’s personal name in ancient Hebrew which refers to the almighty God and creator of the universe Witness – a person who can report about something based on his or her own experience

History Charles Taze Russell was the founder He grew up as a Presbyterian but later joined the Congregationalist Church Formed his own Bible study group because he wasn’t satisfied with any of the Christian churches In 1881, him and his followers formed the Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society, which was later named, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society

In 1931, the group took the name Jehovah’s Witness History continued In 1888, the Watch Tower Society had 50 full-time employees going door-to-door with pamphlets to convert people In 1916, Russell died, and Joseph Rutherford was elected the leader of the Watch Tower group In 1931, the group took the name Jehovah’s Witness

Family Life: do not date unless they are considering marriage Beliefs Family Life: do not date unless they are considering marriage Citizenship: refuse to swear allegiance to any nation, sing national anthem of the country they live in or salute the flag Health: against God’s law to ingest, or eat blood, even if blood is taken into one’s body through the veins

Not allowed to receive blood even at the cost of their lives Religion Strict prohibition against whole blood transfusion (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets or plasma) Not allowed to receive blood even at the cost of their lives Allowed to seek other treatment options such as Haemaccel, Ringers Lactate, Dextran, etc

Biblical Passages “Only flesh with its soul-its blood-you must not eat” (Genesis 9:3-4 from New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures) “Abstain from....fornication and from what is strangled and from blood” (Acts 15:19-21 American Standard Version) “You must not eat the blood of any sort of flesh, because the soul of every sort of flesh is its blood. I will set my face against that person who eats blood. Anyone eating it will be cut off” (Leviticus 1 17:10, 13-14 from New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures)

Biblical Passages Continued “The one thing you must not eat is meat with blood still in it; I forbid this because the life is in the blood” (Genesis 9:4 from Good News Translation Catholic Edition) “You are to abstain from food offered to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.” (Acts 15:28-29 from New International Version)

What is a Blood Transfusion? Transfer of blood or any of its parts from one person to another Depending on the problem being treated, red blood cells, plasma, and clotting factors may be parts of blood that are given to patients

When are blood transfusions needed? You may need a blood transfusion when: You are seriously injured You are having surgery You have a blood disorder Your life is threatened by blood loss or blood destruction by illness You are not making enough blood

Red blood cells are used to carry oxygen What does blood do? Blood circulates through the body and brings oxygen and nutrients to every cell Red blood cells are used to carry oxygen White blood cells are used to attack germs Platelets are used to form clots and stop wounds from bleeding Plasma provides transportation for the blood cells

Why don’t they accept blood? If they receive blood, life may be meaningless and lack spiritual purpose Might damage their relationship with god Against their religion to receive blood under any circumstances and it is a sin They believe that blood removed from the body should be disposed They will be expelled from the congregation

You will have to update this card if you move, or change your name “No blood cards” They carry “no blood cards” that state their refusal to accept a blood transfusion under any circumstances This card will identify who you are and your decision to receive blood if you are unable to speak or you’re unconscious You will have to update this card if you move, or change your name

If they do wish to receive blood there might be consequences Personal choice It is a personal choice if the patient wants to receive partial blood or not If they do wish to receive blood there might be consequences If the patient wants to live, they might change their mind about the blood transfusion It is an individual’s choice as to whether they still want to follow the bible and obey Gods direction when their life is in danger

Article "I don't want to die, which is why I went to the hospital for treatment. I just wanted the best medical treatment without blood …“ Under Manitoba law, people under the age of 16 can be given medical treatment against their will. The Supreme Court awarded her costs so she doesn't have to pay for the pricey legal action

Article Continued "There almost are no words to say just how brutal of an act [blood transfusion] is. I once compared it to almost being raped. There are no options for you, there's nothing you can do about it and it's very hard to deal with."

Forced medical treatment? Physicians + World’s Perspective: This is viewed as forced medical treatment because in some places the law states that kids under the age of 16 can be given medical treatment against their will When patients are unconscious and the physicians have no information they will proceed with the medical treatment because if the treatment exists the physicians are motivated to provide the treatment

Forced medical treatment? Jehovah’s Witnesses Perspective: It would be considered forced medical treatment for the girl in the article In general, if the patient decided not to have the blood transfusion it would not be considered forced medical treatment because they chose to follow the bible and obey Gods direction It is their personal choice as to whether or not they want to have a blood transfusion when their life is in danger

controversial Some people don’t think it is right for them to refuse blood when their life is in danger Most parents won’t allow their child to receive blood, which may seem like they are killing their child Some people believe that JW’s force their children to not accept blood because they are not old enough to make their own decisions

Future outlook Medical researchers are continuing to test and develop non-blood oxygen-transport products Find ways to support the children’s best interest by enhancing parental comfort Nurse ethicists must continue to help reduce suffering on the part of the providers by educating their staff about providing the right care that is best for the patient More and more physicians are learning to accept the situation as a medical challenge

conclusion JW’s are not allowed to have blood transfusion, but in emergency situations it is their choice There is a lot of controversy over this topic because people find that what JW’s are doing is wrong Depending on what the situation is and who you are you might or might not consider it forced medical treatment

References Ehman, C. J. (2007, April 20). Religious Diversity: Practical Points for Health Care Providers. In Penn Medicine. Retrieved April 28, 2012, from http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/pastoral/resed/diversity_points.html Jehovah's Witnesses -- Who Are They? What Do They Believe? (2000). In watchtower. Retrieved April 28, 2012, from http://www.watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm Davis, D. S. (n.d.). Does `no' mean `yes'? The continuing problem of Jehovah's Witnesses and refusal of blood products. In EBSCOhost. Retrieved April 28, 2012, from MasterFILE Elite. Blood transfusion. (2009, July 22). In Health & Welliness Resource Center. Retrieved April 28, 2012, from GALE CENGAGE Learning. Juettner, M. (2006). What Makes Me A Jehovah's Witness? (pp. 4-22). N.p.: Thompson Gale. Caitlin, A. (1996). The Dilemma of Jehovah's Witness Children Who Need Blood to Survive. In Sonoma. Retrieved April 28, 2012, from http://www.sonoma.edu/users/c/catlin/Jehovah's%20Witnesses%20Children%20who%20Need%20Blood%2 0to%20Survive.pdf Muramoto, O. (2001, January 6). Bioehtical aspects of the recent changes in policy of refusal of blood by Jehovah's Witnesses. Retrieved April 28, 2012, from http://www.cbc.arizona.edu/courseweb/081/CHEM4361/reading_pdfs/students/Bioethical%20Aspects%20of %20Recent%20Changes.pdf

References Jehovah's Witnesses and Blood Transfusions (2007, August). In Office of the Public Advocate. Retrieved April 28, 2012, from http://www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au/file/file/PracticeGuidelines/PG07_Jehovahs_Witnesses_and_Blood_Tr ansfusions_09.pdf Blood (n.d.). In The Franklin Institute. Retrieved April 28, 2012, from http://www.fi.edu/learn/heart/blood/red.html "Girl's forced blood transfusion didn't violate rights: top court." CBC. N.p., 26 June 2009. Web. 5 May 2012. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2009/06/26/supreme-blood026.html

Picture References History : Charles Taze Russell - http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/biography/russell_c/russell_c.html Joseph Franklin Rutherford - http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7046810 What is a Blood Transfusion?: Blood Transfusion - http://health.rush.edu/HealthInformation/Care%20Guides/28/000210.aspx When are Blood Transfusions Needed?: Injection - www.visualphotos.com/image/1x6072343/sickle_cell_patient_has_blood_transfusion_in_arm What Does Blood Do?: Blood Cells – http://shs-bio-6th-wood.wikispaces.com/Topic+16-Blood- +Erythrocytes,+Leukocytes,+Platelets,+%26+Plasma “No Blood Cards”: Card - http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/feb/06/bloodless-surgery-peacehealth-southwest-addresses/