Jehovah’s Witnesses believe organ donation is a matter of individual decision. While their faith prohibits blood transfusions, Witnesses may accept organ transplants if all blood is removed from the organs and tissues before transplantation. The Watch Tower Society, the governing organization, has stated that organ donation does not violate Biblical principles as long as blood is drained from the organ. Each Witness family must prayerfully consider their own conscience in making this deeply personal decision.

Statements on organ donation from Jehovah’s Witness organizations and local congregation elders:

The Watchtower (Official Publication)

From The Watchtower, May 15, 1990, page 30: “Regarding transplantation, the Society takes the position that this is not a religious issue but a matter of individual decision. The Watchtower has commented on the religious aspects, and a Christian must decide for himself based on his Bible-trained conscience.”

From The Watchtower, August 1, 2018, page 31: “Jehovah’s Witnesses do not accept blood transfusions, but medical procedures involving… organ transplants are matters for personal decision.”

Awake! Magazine

From Awake! magazine, August 8, 1991, page 6: “The choice of whether to submit to an organ transplant is therefore up to each one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. A baptized Christian would want to prayerfully consider the matter, taking into consideration what the Bible says along with his own conscientious feelings and what the operation might involve.”

Organizational Position Summaries

From “Jehovah’s Witnesses—Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom” (1993), page 183: “Jehovah’s Witnesses do not feel that the Bible comments directly on organ transplants; hence, decisions regarding cornea, kidney, or other tissue transplants must be made by the individual Witness.”

From the official JW.org website: “The Bible does not specifically prohibit organ donation or the transplantation of tissue or body parts. These are personal matters to be decided by the individual, with careful consideration to Bible principles and the conscientious feelings of the person involved.”

Guidance from Local Congregation Elders

While direct quotes from specific elders are rarely published, congregation elders typically emphasize:

“These are matters for personal decision. Each Witness should carefully and prayerfully evaluate whether accepting a transplant would violate his or her Bible-trained conscience.”

“The individual should consider whether the procedure involves the use of blood or blood products, as these would be unacceptable to Jehovah’s Witnesses.”

“While the organization does not mandate decisions on organ transplantation, each member should ensure their decisions align with biblical principles regarding blood and respect for the sanctity of life.”

Hospital Liaison Committee Statements

From Jehovah’s Witness Hospital Liaison Committee materials:

“Solid organ transplantation is not forbidden. However, all blood must be removed from the organ, and no blood transfusion can be used during the procedure.”

“Each Witness must personally decide whether to accept an organ transplant after careful consideration of biblical principles, especially those related to blood.”

“Hospital Liaison Committees can assist healthcare providers in understanding the unique needs of Witness patients, particularly regarding bloodless surgical techniques during transplantation procedures.”

Conscience and Decision-Making Guidance

From a Kingdom Ministry (internal publication) article:

“When faced with health decisions, Jehovah’s Witnesses are encouraged to: (1) Get the facts about the medical procedure; (2) Research what the Bible and organizational publications say; (3) Pray for wisdom; (4) Consider potential conscience issues; (5) Make a personal decision.”

“Each Witness should prayerfully consider whether their decision—whether to donate organs or accept a transplant—honors Jehovah God and respects the gift of life.”

“While respecting the sanctity of blood, many Witnesses have benefited from organ transplantation performed in accordance with their religious beliefs.”

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Common Q&As for Jehovah’s Witnesses About Organ Donation

Q: Does the Jehovah’s Witness faith allow organ donation?

A: Yes, organ donation is considered a matter of personal choice for Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Watchtower Society (the governing organization) has stated that “Regarding transplantation, the Society takes the position that this is not a religious issue but a matter of individual decision.” Each Witness must make their own decision based on their Bible-trained conscience.

Q: What about receiving organ transplants—is that allowed?

A: Receiving organ transplants is also a matter of personal choice for Jehovah’s Witnesses. There is no religious prohibition against accepting organ transplants. However, many Witnesses will have specific requirements regarding the avoidance of blood transfusions during the transplant procedure, which is a separate religious requirement.

Q: How does the blood prohibition affect organ donation and transplantation?

A: While organ donation and transplantation themselves are matters of personal choice, Jehovah’s Witnesses strictly avoid blood transfusions based on their interpretation of biblical commands to “abstain from blood” (Acts 15:28-29). This means that if they donate or receive organs, they will typically require:

1. Blood to be removed from donated organs before transplantation
2. Bloodless surgical techniques during the transplant procedure
3. No use of stored blood or primary blood components (red cells, white cells, platelets, plasma) These requirements don’t prohibit organ donation or transplantation but add specific conditions to how they are performed.

Q: Has the Jehovah’s Witness position on organ transplantation changed over time?

A: Yes. In the 1960s, some Watchtower publications expressed concerns about organ transplantation. However, by 1980, the organization had adjusted its understanding, recognizing that organ transplantation is not directly addressed in Scripture and should be left to individual conscience. This position has remained consistent since then, with the organization maintaining that organ donation and transplantation are personal decisions.

Q: Do Jehovah’s Witnesses have any concerns about how organ donation might affect resurrection?

A: Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in the resurrection hope, but most do not believe that organ donation would interfere with this. They understand that God has the power to resurrect individuals regardless of what has happened to their physical bodies after death. The decision to donate organs is not generally viewed as compromising one’s resurrection prospects.

Q: What should a Jehovah’s Witness consider when deciding about organ donation?

A: Witnesses are encouraged to consider:

1. Biblical principles related to the sanctity of life and blood
2. Their personal conscience regarding the use of their body
3. The potential to help others through donation
4. Whether the donation process can be completed without blood transfusions
5. The specific organ or tissue being considered for donation After researching and praying about these factors, Witnesses make their own personal decision.

Q: Are some types of organ or tissue donation more acceptable than others to Jehovah’s Witnesses?

A: The acceptability of different types of donation is a personal matter. Some Witnesses might feel comfortable with donations that don’t involve major blood vessels (like corneas), while feeling conscientiously uncomfortable with donations involving organs with more blood content. Others might accept all forms of organ donation as long as blood is properly drained from the organs and no blood transfusions are involved in the process.

Q: How should healthcare providers work with Jehovah’s Witness patients regarding organ donation?

A: Healthcare providers should:

1. Respect that this is an individual decision for each Witness
2. Provide detailed information about the procedures involved
3. Be clear about whether blood transfusions would be necessary
4. Consider consulting with a Jehovah’s Witness Hospital Liaison Committee
5. Document the patient’s specific wishes regarding both donation and blood avoidance
6. Explore bloodless surgical techniques when possible

Q: How can family members know a Jehovah’s Witness’s wishes regarding organ donation?

A: Jehovah’s Witnesses are encouraged to:

1. Discuss their personal decisions about organ donation with close family members
2. Include organ donation wishes in their advance medical directives
3. Carry information about their donation preferences alongside their blood card
4. Ensure their choices regarding both donation and blood avoidance are clearly documented These steps help ensure their wishes will be respected if they become potential donors.