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Over the years Watchtower has repeatedly used the term “minor” to depict what Jehovah’s Witnesses can and do accept from blood under its doctrine.[1-3] Unavoidably this leaves impression of smallness. It turns out this impression is misleading.
The community of Jehovah’s Witnesses is fairly aware that Watchtower’s blood doctrine leaves individual Witnesses free to accept blood products when they contain “minor fractions” extracted from blood. But the same community of Jehovah’s Witnesses is surprised to learn the same doctrine leaves them free to accept a product known as cryosupernatant from blood. The reason for surprise is that there is nothing whatsoever small or minor about this product rendered from blood. The blood product known as cryosupernatant comprises more than 50% of the volume of whole blood.[4]
One can only wonder whether the greater Jehovah’s Witness community would feel honest telling everyone that they “abstain from blood” if this bit of knowledge were widely known.
Though this piece of information is something Watchtower does not talk about explicitly in its official publications, upon specific demand they will share the information with individuals. In March of 2010 an individual made such a demand of Watchtower, and Watchtower’s Hospital Information Services Department gave reply in writing by email confirming that under Watchtower’s blood doctrine Witnesses can accept transfusion of cryosupernatant on the same terms they can accept transfusion of other blood products—such as cryoprecipitate—that are explicitly cited in their official publications.[5]
Here is Watchtower’s email:
Over the years Watchtower has repeatedly used the term “minor” to depict what Jehovah’s Witnesses can and do accept from blood under its doctrine.[1-3] Unavoidably this leaves impression of smallness. It turns out this impression is misleading.
The community of Jehovah’s Witnesses is fairly aware that Watchtower’s blood doctrine leaves individual Witnesses free to accept blood products when they contain “minor fractions” extracted from blood. But the same community of Jehovah’s Witnesses is surprised to learn the same doctrine leaves them free to accept a product known as cryosupernatant from blood. The reason for surprise is that there is nothing whatsoever small or minor about this product rendered from blood. The blood product known as cryosupernatant comprises more than 50% of the volume of whole blood.[4]
One can only wonder whether the greater Jehovah’s Witness community would feel honest telling everyone that they “abstain from blood” if this bit of knowledge were widely known.
Though this piece of information is something Watchtower does not talk about explicitly in its official publications, upon specific demand they will share the information with individuals. In March of 2010 an individual made such a demand of Watchtower, and Watchtower’s Hospital Information Services Department gave reply in writing by email confirming that under Watchtower’s blood doctrine Witnesses can accept transfusion of cryosupernatant on the same terms they can accept transfusion of other blood products—such as cryoprecipitate—that are explicitly cited in their official publications.[5]
Here is Watchtower’s email:
I spoke with LC Cotton within Watchtower department of Hospital Information Services about cryosupernatant and he confirmed the information contained in Hazel Patillo’s email.
Marvin Shilmer
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References:
1. The Watchtower, June 15, 2004, p. 29.
2. "Yet, it has been felt that the use of minor fractions of blood for some medical purpose should be left for the individual to decide conscientiously..”—(Full Watchtower letter dated February 21, 2007 p. 2. Available at: Watchtower’s Answer Shows Blood Doctrine Is False) Snippet:
3. "I accept all” minor fractions of blood.—(Instructions for Filling In the Advance Decision Document, published by Watchtower, August 2005, p 1.) Snippet:
4. See article Plasma, Cryoprecipitate and Cryosupernatant
5. Hazel Patillo emails to and from Watchtower, March 2010.
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