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AJWRB Physicians Library

The Risks of Avoiding "Necessary" Blood Transfusions

The Moral Agony of Blood Transfusion Decisions

Doctor Answers Frequently Asked Questions by Jehovah's Witnesses Patients

Reformed Jehovah's Witnesses who Accept Blood Transfusions

The Murky Boundaries of the Watchtower Society

Physicians Section

This section addresses some of the various medical issues that confront doctors who treat Jehovah's Witnesses. The material in this section of the site has been prepared with the assistance of doctors who care deeply about the welfare of their Jehovah's Witness patients, and who feel an ethical obligation to help provide them with accurate information regarding the use of blood products.

Virtual Medical Conference - Comprehensive Presentation - Requires Adobe

AJWRB is pleased to provide educational information and exhibits for medical conferences. For more information please contact us.

January 6, 2001 British Medical Journal
The Watchtower has ceased disfellowshiping members who accept blood transfusions and now permits hemoglobin and many other blood products. The medical community struggles to understand the Watchtower's policy and keep up with the changes. This link takes you directly to the BMJ. A lively debate between various AJWRB members, doctors, academics and Watchtower apologists follows the article.

American Anesthesiologist's Conference
AJWRB hosts exhibit at the 2000 ASA conference in San Francisco, U.S.A.

October 2000 Journal of Medical Ethics - Ground breaking series of three articles discussing the Watchtower Society's blood policy and the need for physicians to be pro-active on this issue.

Jehovah’s Witnesses and Blood
A physicians guide to saving lives and limiting personal liability
This article provides a brief overview of AJWRB (The Associated Jehovah's Witnesses for Reform on Blood), a frequently asked questions section and suggestions on how you can help your Witness patients. Now available as a downloadable brochure.

Do Jehovah's Witnesses Really Abstain from Blood?
This brochure has been designed for use by physicians with their Jehovah's Witness patients. You may print the file or email us and let us know how many copies of the brochure you would like shipped to you. We encourage you to share the brochure with your Witness patients and follow the suggestions offered in part two of the Journal of Medical Ethics articles.

Trauma - Life in the E.R. - This is a 15 minute video clip documenting the story of a San Antonio, Texas (U.S.A.) Jehovah's Witness couple who were involved in a serious autobile accident. They requested and received Watchtower approved "bloodless" medical treatment. Both husband and wife died. Real Media player is required.

Recent Developments in the Medical Care of Jehovah's Witnesses
The Western Journal of Medicine has published a comprehensive article about Jehovah's Witnesses and blood refusal.

American College of Emergency Physician's Scientific Assembly
AJWRB hosted an information booth at the 1999 ACEP in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

Bioethics of the refusal of blood by Jehovah's Witnesses: Part 1. Should bioethical deliberation consider dissidents' views?
Journal of Medical Ethics - August 1998 Osamu Muramoto

Bioethics of the refusal of blood by Jehovah's Witnesses: Part 2. A Novel approach based on rational non-interventional paternalism
Journal of Medical Ethics - October 1998 Osamu Muramoto

The following two articles were written in response to Dr. Muramoto's articles listed above. They present the official view of the Watchtower Society and attempt to address the various issues raised by Dr. Muramoto.
Transfusion-free treatment of Jehovah's Witnesses: respecting the autonomous patients rights
Journal of Medical Ethics - October 1998 David Malyon (Jehovah's Witnesses Hospital Liaison Committee, Luton, Bedforwshire)

Transfusion-free treatment of Jehovah's Witnesses: respecting the autonomous patients motives - Journal of Medical Ethics
Journal of Medical Ethics - December 1998 David Malyon (Jehovah's Witnesses Hospital Liaison Committee, Luton, Bedforwshire)

Bioethics of the refusal of blood by Jehovah's Witnesses: Part 3. A proposal for a don't-ask-don't-tell policy
Journal of Medical Ethics - December 1998 Osamu Muramoto

The following article was written in response to Dr. Muramoto's article listed above. It represents the official view of the Watchtower Society and responds to his suggestions.
Jehovah’s Witnesses’ refusal of blood: obedience to scripture and religious conscience
Journal of Medical Ethics - December 1999 Donald T. Ridley (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, Patterson, NY USA)

The extraordinary cost of non-blood therapy
Letter to the British Medical Journal. Cost to treat one Witness patient enough to run one African clinic caring for 500,000 people for one year.

Informed Consent and Statement of Understanding regarding Blood Transfusion Therapy
This is a legal document currently under development. It should not be used at this time, however we invite the comments of physicians, hospital administrators, medical ethicists, attorneys and other interested parties regarding the document.