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*** lv pp. 215-218 Blood Fractions and Surgical Procedures ***
Blood Fractions and Surgical Procedures
Blood fractions. Fractions are derived from the four primary blood components-red cells, white cells, platelets, and plasma. For example, red cells contain the protein hemoglobin. Products developed from human or animal hemoglobin have been used to treat patients who have acute anemia or massive blood loss.
Where has the WTS got their list from as I get 5 primary components from this website:http://books.google.com.au/books?id=ZAeLUdYOq64C&pg=PA119&lpg=PA119&dq=primary+blood+components&source=bl&ots=dU8qYbSGAx&sig=Do5zVDrsKr9mzX-zzdUkZVRRKYk&hl=en&ei=s8luSpqyLtaJkQWv9JjGBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5
So JW can have fractionated bovine (cow) blood: http://ajwrb.org/basics/hemopure.shtml
Plasma-which is 90 percent water-carries scores of hormones, inorganic salts, enzymes, and nutrients, including minerals and sugar. Plasma also carries clotting factors, antibodies to fight disease, and such proteins as albumin. If someone is exposed to a certain disease, doctors might prescribe injections of gamma globulin extracted from the plasma of people who already had immunity. White blood cells may be a source of interferons and interleukins, used to treat some viral infections and cancers.
So witnesses cannot take plasma, but can take all components of plasma separately!
This is a good read about how ridiculous the policy is
http://www.ajwrb.org/forbidden.shtml
Search "white blood cells in breast milk" on Google, where you are likely to find many references saying that 1 drop of breast milk contains around one million white blood cells or leukocytes, that fight infection and activate other defence mechanisms - yet WTS says JW's cannot take them
Should Christians accept therapies incorporating blood fractions? The Bible does not give specific details, so each one must make his own conscientious decision before God. Some would refuse all fractions, reasoning that God's Law to Israel required that blood removed from a creature be "[poured] out upon the ground." (Deuteronomy 12:22-24) Others, while refusing transfusions of whole blood or its major components, might accept treatments involving a fraction. They may reason that at some point fractions that have been extracted from blood cease to represent the life of the creature from which the blood was taken.
Considering "The Bible does not give specific details" about fractions where does the WTS come up with the approved list?
http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/blood-transfusions.php
If blood must be poured on the ground, where are the blood fractions they use derived from?
If those fractions were taken out of blood would they "cease to represent the life"?
When making decisions about blood fractions, consider the following questions: Am I aware that refusing all blood fractions means that I will not accept some medications that include products to fight diseases or that might help the blood to clot in order to stop bleeding? Could I explain to a physician why I reject or accept the use of one or more blood fractions?
How does one use the scriptures to "...explain to a physician" the WTS stand on blood?
Surgical procedures. These include hemodilution and cell salvage. In hemodilution, blood is diverted from the body, replaced with a volume expander, and later returned to the patient. Cell salvage captures and returns blood lost during surgery. Blood is recovered from a wound or a body cavity, washed or filtered, and then reinfused into the patient. Because the methods of applying these techniques can vary from physician to physician, a Christian should find out what his doctor has in mind.
http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/medical/177865/1/Experience-regarding-Cell-Saver
When making decisions about these procedures, ask yourself: '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 upon the ground"? (Deuteronomy 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 would not accept a blood test, hemodialysis, or a heart-lung bypass machine?'
A Christian must decide for himself how he will allow his own blood to be handled in the course of a surgical procedure. The same applies to medical tests and current therapies that involve extracting a small amount of one's own blood, perhaps modifying it in some way, and then reinjecting it.
Lurkers, please follow the WTS advice: "A Christian must decide for himself" and investigate this policy thoroughly- this list may help:
Jensen blood letters (an elder corresponding with the WTS over 5 years on the blood issue) towards the bottom of this page
http://www.ajwrb.org/watchtower/index.shtml
Letter written by our very own Vinny:
http://newsblaze.com/story/20081209054218zzzz.nb/topstory.html
A chapter Ray Franz wrote in his second book:
[Box on page 217]
SUGGESTED QUESTIONS FOR THE DOCTOR
If you face surgery or a treatment that might involve a blood product, check that you have completed the appropriate legal documentation, such as a Health Care Proxy, which is designed to protect you from blood transfusion. In addition, you might ask your physician the following questions:
- Do all the medical personnel involved know that as one of Jehovah's Witnesses, I direct that no blood transfusions (whole blood, red cells, white cells, platelets, or blood plasma) be given to me under any circumstances?
- If a medicine containing blood fractions is recommended, what is its makeup? How much of this medicine might be administered, and in what way?
- If my conscience permits me to accept a blood fraction, what are the medical risks? What alternate therapies are available?
Before deciding on any of the foregoing, express your concerns to Jehovah in prayer. He promises to give the needed wisdom to all who "keep on asking" for it in faith.-James 1:5, 6.
[Chart on page 216]
WHOLE BLOOD
UNACCEPTABLE: Red Cells White Cells Platelets Plasma
CHRISTIAN Fractions Fractions Fractions Fractions
TO DECIDE from from from from
red cells white cells platelets plasma