Is an RhIG injection a blood serum injection?

by ithinkisee 4 Replies latest watchtower medical

  • ithinkisee
    ithinkisee

    Preparing myself for a little confrontation that may come up. When I look at AJWRB.ORG site quote the following Awake! and then make some editorial comments

    ==================================================
    Awake!, 08/22/1965 p. 18
    Is the RhIG shot made from blood?

    Yes. The antibodies that make up the shot are harvested from the blood of individuals who have become immunized or sensitized to the Rh factor.... .Genetically-engineered RhIG not derived from blood may become available in the future.

    Can the Christian conscientiously take RhIG?

    ....This journal and its companion, The Watchtower,have commented consistently on the matter*. ....some Christians have concluded that to them it does not seem a violation of Bible law..." The decision whether to take RhIG remains finally, though, a matter for each Christian couple to decide conscientiously.

    Footnote:

    *See The Watchtower of June 1, 1990, pages 30, 31; June 15, 1978, pages 30, 31; and How Can Blood Save Your Life?, published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. - Awake 12/8/94 p. 27. Awake 12/8/94 p. 23-26 -Emphasis added

    AWJRB Note: The writer of this article has forgotten that the RhIG injection was forbidden until 1974, and still discouraged until 1978. Incidentally, the injection requires that your blood be cross matched and typed, and you receive the same band on your wrist that other blood transfusion recipients wear. You and your baby may accept the shot or any of the other blood serums, hemophiliac preparations or albumin. The Watchtower says "Go ahead and dip into the blood supply if you care to. But don't even think about contributing to the blood supply."

    ==================================================

    However, when I look through the earlier references on that same page I can find no reference to RhIG ANYWHERE. I was just curious if maybe Rh IG (Immuno globulin) was a blood serum, so the editorial comments are speaking of RhIG specifically. I have done Google searches on RhIG and haven't found any medical stuff to confirm it for me.

    Is Rh IG injections a form of blood serum and that is why AJWRB.org says that in their editorial comment (in red)?

    Thanks,

    ithinkisee

  • TheListener
    TheListener

    Ok,

    Here is one link:

    http://waynesword.palomar.edu/aniblood.htm

    From above website:

    The fetus bone marrow releases immature erythroblasts because of the destruction of mature RBCs (erythrocytes) by the mother's anti-Rh antibodies. RhoGam®, a serum containing anti-Rh antibodies, is now given to Rh negative woman within 72 hours after giving birth to their Rh positive baby

    http://sheknows.com/about/look/134.htm

    from above website:

    To create Rhogam, serum is obtained from Rh negative individuals who have been exposed to Rh positive red blood cells. Fractionation of the blood plasma is done by a modification of the cold alcohol procedure.

    There appears to be quite a lot of information on serums (the leftover liquid after blood coagulates) and how it is used to make the Rhogam shot. I think it would be dificult for someone to argue that rhig isn't a serum.

    Please put anything you find on here because I've had the same question myself. I'm also preparing for a discussion at some point in the future.

  • Odrade
    Odrade

    RhoGAM, product info here, there is a clickable PDF product insert:

    http://www.orthoclinical.com/Products/products.aspx?id=9

    As far as whether it is derived from serum... the name says it. RhigG (immunoglobulin) IG is derived from serum, which is what is left when the clotting factors have been removed from plasma. It contains all of the antibodies of whole blood, which is why it is useful for rh incompatible pregnancies.

    From answers.com on Immunoglobulin G (igG):

    immunoglobulin G
    n. (Abbr. IgG )

    The most abundant class of antibodies found in blood serum and lymph and active against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and foreign particles. Immunoglobulin G antibodies trigger action of the complement system.

  • Odrade
    Odrade

    to be perfectly clear, and anticipating an uninformed reaction, I think you'd also have to show why igG cannot be derived from lymph fluid... I'm looking for a good reference for that, but so far I just find stuff about node removal.

    The thing that the average JW does not understand, due in large part to their arbitrary classification of the "four components of blood" is that "plasma" is found inside AND outside of the blood vessels. When inside, it is referred to as "plasma," when it leaves the vessels through various mechanisms it is called "interstitial fluid" among other things. The lymphatic system picks up the excess IS fluid and transports it away to prevent fluid buildup, especially in the extremities. (Keep in mind that this is a grossly oversimplified explanation, so it's not entirely accurate.) For all intent and purposes the IS fluid and the plasma are the same, except for certain cells suspended in the plasma (lymphocytes, leukocytes, macrophages, RBCs) will be contained within the vessels, they are too large to squeeze out of the fenestrations in the capillaries. Platelets CAN leave the vessels, in fact that is one of their primary functions. They go to wound sites, and attract fibrinogen (also found in blood plasma) to form a web that knits a wound closed. But that is a whole other line of research showing why the WTS classifications are arbitrary.

    That's not to say that the classes are wrong, it's just that depending on the branch of medicine, or the purpose of treatment, other primary classifications may be more relevant.

    Another good link for RHigG:

    http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic507.htm

    Hope some of this helps...

  • Scully
    Scully

    RhIG (also known as Anti-D and sold under the trade names RhoGam, WinRho) is a blood fraction that is manufactured in powdered form. It is in a concentrated form and is reconstituted with sterile normal saline solution prior to administering to a patient.

    ***

    w90 6/1 pp. 30-31 Questions From Readers ***

    Questions

    From Readers

    ·

    Do Jehovah?s Witnesses accept injections of a blood fraction, such as immune globulin or albumin?

    Some do, believing that the Scriptures do not clearly rule out accepting an injection of a small fraction, or component, taken from blood.

    The Creator first laid upon all mankind the obligation to avoid taking in blood: "Every moving animal that is alive may serve as food for you . . . Only flesh with its soul?its blood?you must not eat." (Genesis 9:3, 4) Blood was sacred and so could be used only in sacrifice. If not used in that way, it was to be disposed of on the ground.?Leviticus 17:13, 14; Deuteronomy 12:15, 16.

    This was no mere temporary restriction for Jews. The need to abstain from blood was restated for Christians. (Acts 21:25) Around them in the Roman Empire, God?s law was commonly broken, since people ate food made with blood. It was also broken for "medical" reasons; Tertullian reports that some men took in blood thinking that it could cure epilepsy. ?They quaffed with greedy thirst the blood of criminals slain in the arena.? He added: "Blush for your vile ways before the Christians, who have not even the blood of animals at their meals." Jehovah?s Witnesses today are just as determined not to violate God?s law, no matter how common it is for others to eat food made with blood. In the 1940?s, blood transfusions came into widespread use, and the Witnesses saw that obeying God required that they also avoid blood transfusions, even if doctors urged these.

    At first, most transfusions were of whole blood. Later, researchers began to separate blood into its primary components, for doctors concluded that a certain patient might not need all major parts of blood. If they gave him only one component, it would be less risky for him, and the doctors could get more use out of the blood available.

    Human blood can be separated into dark cellular material and a yellowish fluid (plasma, or serum). The cellular part (45 percent by volume) is made up of what are commonly called red cells, white cells, and platelets. The other 55 percent is the plasma. This is 90 percent water, but it carries small amounts of many proteins, hormones, salts, and enzymes. Today, much of the donated blood is separated into the primary components. One patient may be given a transfusion of plasma (perhaps FFP, fresh frozen plasma) to treat shock. But an anemic patient might be given packed red cells, that is, red cells that had been stored and then put in a fluid and transfused. Platelets and white cells are also transfused but less commonly.

    In Bible times men had not devised such techniques for using these components. God simply commanded: ?Abstain from blood.? (Acts 15:28, 29) But why should anyone think that it would make a difference whether the blood was whole or had been separated into these components? Though some men drank blood, Christians refused even if it meant death. Do you think that they would have responded differently if someone had collected blood, allowed it to separate, and then offered them just the plasma or just the clotted part, perhaps in blood sausage? No, indeed! Hence, Jehovah?s Witnesses do not accept transfusions of whole blood or of its primary components (red cells, white cells, platelets, or plasma) used to accomplish a similar purpose.

    As the question suggests, though, scientists have learned about specialized blood fractions and how to employ such. A common issue involves the plasma proteins?globulins, albumin, and fibrinogen. Likely, the most widespread therapeutic use of such is injecting immune globulin. Why is that done?

    Your body can produce antibodies against certain diseases, giving you active immunity. This is the basis for advance inoculation with a vaccine (toxoid) against polio, mumps, rubella (measles), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, and typhoid fever. However, if someone has recently been exposed to certain serious diseases, physicians may recommend an injection of a serum (antitoxin) to give him immediate passive immunity. Until recently such injections have been made by extracting immune globulin, which contains antibodies, from a person already immune. The passive immunity gained from the injection is not permanent, for the injected antibodies pass out of his system in time.

    In view of the command to ?abstain from blood,? some Christians have felt that they should not accept an immune globulin (protein) injection, even though it was only a blood fraction. Their stand is clear and simple?no blood component in any form or amount.

    Others have felt that a serum (antitoxin), such as immune globulin, containing only a tiny fraction of a donor?s blood plasma and used to bolster their defense against disease, is not the same as a life-sustaining blood transfusion. So their consciences may not forbid them to take immune globulin or similar fractions. They may conclude that for them the decision will rest primarily on whether they are willing to accept any health risks involved in an injection made from others? blood.

    It is significant that the blood system of a pregnant woman is separate from that of the fetus in her womb; their blood types are often different. The mother does not pass her blood into the fetus. Formed elements (cells) from the mother?s blood do not cross the placental barrier into the fetus? blood, nor does the plasma as such. In fact, if by some injury the mother?s and the fetus? blood mingle, health problems can later develop (Rh or ABO incompatibility). However, some substances from the plasma cross into the fetus? circulation. Do plasma proteins, such as immune globulin and albumin? Yes, some do.

    A pregnant woman has an active mechanism by which some immune globulin moves from the mother?s blood to the fetus?. Because this natural movement of antibodies into the fetus occurs in all pregnancies, babies are born with a degree of normal protective immunity to certain infections.

    It is similar with albumin, which doctors may prescribe as a treatment for shock or certain other conditions. Researchers have proved that albumin from the plasma is also transported, though less efficiently, across the placenta from a mother into her fetus.

    That some protein fractions from the plasma do move naturally into the blood system of another individual (the fetus) may be another consideration when a Christian is deciding whether he will accept immune globulin, albumin, or similar injections of plasma fractions. One person may feel that he in good conscience can; another may conclude that he cannot. Each must resolve the matter personally before God.

    [Footnotes]

    With recombinant DNA, or genetic-engineering, techniques, scientists are developing similar products that are not made from blood.

    One example is Rh immune globulin, which doctors may recommend when there is Rh incompatibility between a woman and her fetus. Another is Factor VIII, which is given to hemophiliacs.

    Evidence shows that nonblood volume replacement fluids (such as hetastarch [HES]) can be used effectively to treat shock and other conditions for which an albumin solution might have been used previously.

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