The problem with asking jws about blood fractions, very few understand the implication or even what blood fractions are in the WTS vocabulary. You almost have to lead them a bit by asking them if they knew that so-called no-blood products actually contain hemoglobin derived from expired human blood (and animal blood). That unless stored blood were used to manufacture these products, they would not be available.
*** g 8/06 p. 11 The Real Value of Blood ***
What Are Hemoglobin-Based Oxygen Carriers?Within each red blood cell are some 300 million hemoglobin molecules. Hemoglobin represents about one third of the volume of a mature red cell. Each molecule contains the protein globin and a pigment called heme—which includes an iron atom. When a red blood cell passes through the lungs, oxygen molecules penetrate the cell and attach themselves to hemoglobin molecules. Seconds later, the oxygen is discharged into body tissue, sustaining the life of the cells.
Some manufacturers now process hemoglobin, releasing it from human or bovine red blood cells. The extracted hemoglobin is then filtered to remove impurities, chemically modified and purified, mixed with a solution, and packaged. The end product—not yet approved for use in most lands—is called a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier, or HBOC. Since the heme is responsible for the rich red color of blood, a unit of HBOC looks just like a unit of red blood cells, the primary component from which it is taken.
Unlike red blood cells, which must be refrigerated and discarded after a few weeks, the HBOC can be stored at room temperature and used months later. And since the cell membrane with its unique antigens is gone, severe reactions due to mismatched blood types pose no threat. However, compared with other blood fractions, the HBOC presents more challenges to conscientious Christians, who seek to obey God’s law on blood. Why? As long as the HBOC is derived from blood, there are two objections that may be raised. One, the HBOC carries out the key function of a primary component of blood, the red cells. Two, hemoglobin, from which the HBOC is derived, makes up a significant portion of that component. Regarding this and similar products, then, Christians face a very serious decision. They must carefully and prayerfully meditate on Bible principles concerning the sacredness of blood. With a keen desire to maintain a good relationship with Jehovah, each must be guided by his Bible-trainedconscience.—Galatians 6:5.
And here the WTS shows on the healthcare proxy it provides that it is a choice for jws.
*** km 11/06 p. 5 How Do I View Blood Fractions and Medical Procedures Involving My Own Blood? ***
RED CELLS HEMOGLOBIN—33% OF RED CELLS
A protein that transports
oxygen throughout the body
and carbon dioxide to the ………… I accept
lungs. Products being hemoglobin
developed from human or or
animal hemoglobin could be ………… I refuse
used to treat patients with hemoglobin
acute anemia or massive
blood loss.
HEMIN—LESSTHAN
2%OFREDCELLS
An enzyme inhibitor
derived from hemoglobin
that is used to treat a ………… I accept hemin
group of rare genetic or
blood disorders (known ………… I refuse hemin
as porphyria) that affect
the digestive, nervous,
and circulatory systems.