I am well aware of the ethical principles germane to the medical community, and understand their importance.
I also know of a local JW woman who died in childbirth after hemorrhaging. She left behind twin babies now without a mother. The law in the UK allows for a court order to override a JW parent’s refusal for its child to receive blood. However it also allows a consenting adult to refuse blood and let their dependants face the consequences of loss.
The problem with the blood issue is that it is confusing rank and file JWs. Once it was simple, JW’s could not accept blood transfusions period. The policy change allows fractions and allows JWs to access donated and stored blood supplies. Yet JWs are commanded to abstain from blood.
This position is already anomalous. Where will it end?
Medical staff are well aware of this, while having a group of suited men with bibles in hospital foyers and waiting rooms bringing pressure to bear on Witnesses who are in life threatening situations yet confused over the WTS’s blood transfusion policy. These patients are expected to place their trust in a non medically educated group, ie the HLC, rather than their own conscience and medical staff who simply want to save their lives.
Dr Shaz. You say that if doctors and medical staff were to put aside their non ethical interests when dealing with JW, then HLC’s would not be necessary. I say that if the WTS’s
blood policy was clear and rational, then JWs would be able to make an informed decision on their own. Then HLC’s wouldn’t be necessary.