Jehovah’s Witnesses have adjusted their position on blood transfusions, allowing members to decide whether to accept or donate red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma and platelets.

The change was announced by the organisation’s Governing Body in a statement issued from its World Headquarters in Warwick, New York, and published on Friday.

The organisation said decisions involving the four major blood components are now matters of personal conscience. Members may also decide whether to donate blood for another person’s treatment.

However, its longstanding position against whole-blood transfusions remains unchanged, based on its interpretation of the biblical instruction to “abstain from blood.”

Paul Gillies, an international spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses, said the organisation continues to regard blood as sacred, while allowing members to make individual decisions about its components.

Meanwhile, Jehovah’s Witnesses said local congregations will respect such decisions and reaffirmed that members seek professional medical treatment.