Jehovah’s Witnesses ease rules about blood transfusions.

Jehovah’s Witnesses have made a small change to their rules about blood transfusions.

Members are now allowed to have their own blood taken, stored, and later used during medical treatment, such as planned surgeries. However, they are still not allowed to receive blood from other people.

A leader of the group, Gerrit Losch, said each person should decide how their own blood is used in medical care.

Jehovah’s Witnesses are a Christian group known for going door to door to share their beliefs. They have about nine million members worldwide.

In the past, the group did not allow any blood transfusions because they believe the Bible teaches people to avoid blood. They say this belief has not changed.

Some former members are not happy with the new rule. They say it is not enough, especially in serious medical cases where donated blood could save lives. One former member explained that the new rule still does not give full freedom to accept blood from others in emergencies.

In a related case last December, a court in Edinburgh said doctors could give a blood transfusion to a teenage member if it was needed after surgery.