Do Jehovah Witnesses believe in organ transplants?

Answer 1

We view that as a matter for an individual's conscience decision.

Some of us will, based on the following 1980 quote from our magazine The Watchtower,

"Clearly, personal views and conscientious feelings vary on this issue of transplantation. It is well known that the use of human materials for human consumption varies all the way from minor items, such as hormones and corneas, to major organs, such as kidneys and hearts. While The Bible specifically forbids consuming blood, there is no Biblical command pointedly forbidding the taking in of other human tissue. For this reason, each individual faced with making a decision on this matter should carefully and prayerfully weigh matters and then decide conscientiously what he or she could or could not do before God. It is a matter for personal decision. (Gal. 6:5)"

However, some of us won't based on the following quote from the same Watchtower article,

''Some Christians might feel that taking into their bodies any tissue or body part from another human is cannibalistic.''

The reason that some maybe older Jehovah's Witnesses feel that organ donation and transplanting is akin to cannibalism is because of our Watchtower advising from 1967 until 1980 that ''those who submit to such operations are thus living off the flesh of another human. That is cannibalistic.'' Watchtower 15/11/67 page 702-4

As a purely personal observation, in my local congregations most younger Witnesses will most likely accept an organ but I have yet to meet any that would donate an organ as it is still frowned on by the older generation as the whole idea of carrying an organ donor card does unnerve some of our dear older brothers and sisters. But as I say that is purely observational.

Answer 2

Yes since March 1980 it has been a conscience issue whether an individual Witness would accept a transplant. Between November 1967 and March 1980, however, it was considered to be cannibalism and therefore not allowed during that period.

Watchtower 15th November 1967 page 702,

Questions from Readers,

● Is there any Scriptural objection to donating one's body for use in medical research or to accepting organs for transplant from such a source?

When there is a diseased or defective organ, the usual way health is restored is by taking in nutrients. The body uses the food eaten to repair or heal the organ, gradually replacing the cells. When men of science conclude that this normal process will no longer work and they suggest removing the organ and replacing it directly with an organ from another human, this is simply a shortcut. Those who submit to such operations are thus living off the flesh of another human. That is cannibalistic. However, in allowing man to eat animal flesh Jehovah God did not grant permission for humans to try to perpetuate their lives by cannibalistically taking into their bodies human flesh, whether chewed or in the form of whole organs or body parts taken from others

Watchtower 15th March 1980 page 31

Questions from Readers,

Should congregation action be taken if a baptized Christian accepts a human organ transplant, such as of a cornea or a kidney?

Regarding the transplantation of human tissue or bone from one human to another, this is a matter for conscientious decision by each one of Jehovah's Witnesses

*** w61 8/1 p. 480 Questions From Readers ***

Questions From Readers

● Is there anything in the Bible against giving one's eyes (after death) to be transplanted to some living person?-L. C., United States.

The question of placing one's body or parts of one's body at the disposal of men of science or doctors at one's death for purposes of scientific experimentation or replacement in others is frowned upon by certain religious bodies. However, it does not seem that any Scriptural principle or law is involved. It therefore is something that each individual must decide for himself. If he is satisfied in his own mind and conscience that this is a proper thing to do, then he can make such provision, and no one else should criticize him for doing so. On the other hand, no one should be criticized for refusing to enter into any such agreement.

Answer 3

Yes. The Watchtower 15th November 1967 page 702 says

''When there is a diseased or defective organ, the usual way health is restored is by taking in nutrients. The body uses the food eaten to repair or heal the organ, gradually replacing the cells. When men of science conclude that this normal process will no longer work and they suggest removing the organ and replacing it directly with an organ from another human, this is simply a shortcut.

Those who submit to such operations are thus living off the flesh of another human. That is cannibalistic.

However, in allowing man to eat animal flesh Jehovah God did not grant permission for humans to try to perpetuate their lives by cannibalistically taking into their bodies human flesh, whether chewed or in the form of whole organs or body parts taken from others.''

Answer 4

Because The Watchtower, printed by Jehovah's Witnesses, printed an article dated 15th March 1980 to say that it was allowable to accept organ transplants. From 15th November 1967 until 15th March 1980 it wasn't allowable, as it was viewed as cannibalism.