KM Insert "How Do I View Blood Fractions..." Complete Scan and PDF

Page 3 sample below.

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reganashe

Holy crap that is confusing. I know my parents are happy the the "rules" have changed being that my dad just had to go through dialysis.

rebel8

Not that I really care enough to bother myself about this.......

I just don't get the the portion about platelets. Platelets are used as a separate component for transfusions. In my mind, they are a fraction, so it's curious why there is no "accept or not accept" option there. It says they are not being used in treatment currently, but that isn't true: link

Plus some of the lingo in the whole flyer is too medical and really over people's heads.

StillGroggy

where is the biblical precedent for this??? Total grabbage

RubaDub

When I first saw the blood thing in the KM, I couldn't help but think about how those diets work, like Weight Watchers.

Maybe they could simplify the whole process and assign points for each type of blood fraction. Then, if you had to receive multiple products derived from blood, you could just add up the total.

After totalling up the score, your trained conscience would then know, based upon the number, whether it is acceptable or not. It really could be like the Weight-Watchers dieting thing. Trade in some blood components one day for another, just keep the score under 100 or something.

Elders, MS's, pioneers and other with special privledges could earn bonus points based upon their time in the organization. A spiritually weak person that is irregular in field service may only be allowed to score an 80 or 90 in total blood points whereas the long-time pioneer sister may be able to exceed 110 or 120 before crossing the line into the unaccepable range.

Rub a Dub

V

Complete text from first pages of insert. Note highlights. This means that a JW can accept HEMOGLOBIN with 33% of red cells or INTERFERONS (withdrawn blood from patient) with no recrimination.

OUR KINGDOM MINISTRY, NOVEMBER 2006 (km-E Us 11/06)

How Do I View Blood Fractions and Medical Procedures Involving My Own Blood?
The Bible commands Christians to "abstain from blood." (Acts 15: 20) Thus, Jehovah's Witnesses do not accept transfusions of whole blood or the four primary components of blood -namely, red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. They also do not donate or store their own blood for transfusion.-Lev. 17:13, 14; Acts 15: 28, 29.

What are blood fractions, and why is their use a matter for each Christian to decide?

Blood fractions are elements from blood that are extracted through a process called fractionation. For example, plasma, one of the four major components of blood, can be divided into the following substances: water, about 91 percent; proteins, such as albumins, globulins, and fibrinogen, about 7 percent; and other substances, such as nutrients, hormones, gases, vitamins, waste products, and electrolytes, about 1.5 percent.

Are fractions also covered by the command to abstain from blood? We cannot say. The Bible does not give specific direction on the subject of fractions.* (Footnote: * Helpful information on this subject is found in the June 15, 2004, issue of The Watchtower, pages 29-31.)Of course, many fractions are derived from blood that has been donated for medical purposes. Each Christian should make a conscientious decision as to whether he or she will accept or will reject the medical use of these substances.

When making such decisions, consider the following questions: Am I aware that refusing all blood fractions means that I will not accept some medications, such as certain ones that fight viruses and diseases or that help blood to clot in order to stop bleeding? Could I explain to a physician why I reject or accept the use of certain blood fractions?

Why are some procedures involving the medical use of my own blood a personal decision?

Although Christians do not donate or store their own blood for transfusion purposes, some procedures or tests involving an individual's blood are not so clearly in conflict with Bible principles. Therefore, each individual should make a conscientious decision as to whether to accept or to reject some types of medical procedures involving the use of his or her own blood.

When making such decisions, ask yourself the following questions: If some of my blood will be diverted outside my body and the flow might even be interrupted for a time, will my conscience allow me to view this blood as still part of me, thus not requiring that it be `poured out on the ground'? (Deut. 12:23, 24) Would my Bible-trained conscience be troubled if during a medical procedure some of my own blood was withdrawn, modified, and directed back into my body? Am I aware that refusing all medical procedures involving the use of my own blood means that I refuse treatments such as dialysis or the use of a heart-lung machine? Have I prayerfully considered this matter before making a decision?* (Footnote: * Helpful information on this subject is found in the October 15, 2000, issue of The Watchtower, pages 30-1, and the Transfusion Alternatives-Documentary Series-On DVD.)

What are my personal decisions?

Consider the two work sheets on the following pages. Work Sheet 1 lists some of the fractions extracted from blood and how they are commonly used in medicine. Fill in your personal choice as to whether you will accept or will reject the use of each of these fractions. Work Sheet 2 lists some common medical procedures involving your own blood. Fill in your personal choice as to whether you will accept or will reject these procedures. These work sheets are not legal documents, but you may use your answers on these work sheets to help you to complete your DPA (durable power of attorney) card.

Your decisions should be your own and should not be based on someone else's conscience. Likewise, no one should criticize another Christian's decisions. In these matters, "each one will carry his own load" of responsibility.-Gal. 6:4, 5.

Nathan Natas

StillGroggy asked,

where is the biblical precedent for this???

Indeed.

It is not without good reason however, that many people have noted that the article titled, "Jehovah's Witnesses, Blood Transfusions, and the Tort of Misrepresentation," by Attorney Kerry Louderback-Wood is found in Baylor University’s peer reviewed Journal of Church and State’s Autumn 2005 issue, exposing the vulnerability of the Watchtower Society to tort claims because of the religion’s misrepresentations of secular writers.

Is it possible that this Kingdom Ministry insert is intended to deflect some of that criticism?

under_believer

That lady on page 4 looks like the Church Lady.

becca1

Ah, all the ingredients of the ham sandwich...