Blood transfusion

Introduction

Blood transfusion is the process of transferring blood or blood based products from one person into the circulatory system of another. Blood transfusions can be life-saving in some situations, such as massive blood loss due to trauma, or can be used to replace blood lost during surgery. Blood transfusions may also be used to treat a severe anemia or thrombocytopenia caused by a blood disease. People suffering from hemophilia or sickle-cell disease may require frequent blood transfusions. Early transfusions used whole blood, but modern medical practice commonly uses only components of the blood.( Bernice, 161)

Discussion

If the entire Bible was read instead of just one verse then they would know that blood of an animal is not to be eaten. It has nothing to do with receiving a blood to save your life. In the book of Leviticus it discusses sacraficing unto the Lord. The blood of the animal was shed to cover sin. Also in Leviticus 3:17 it says to not eat the blood. Also, Samuel 14:32-34 which says that it is a sin against the Lord to EAT the blood. We all have blood in our body which would make it impossible to abstain from it. Putting something back into your body that was already there, like blood, is not a sin. By not taking the blood to save your life is like suicide or murder if you don't allow your child to recieve it. God is clearly against suicide and murder. I don't understand why people don't take the ENTIRE BIBLE into context and not just looking at one verse and twisting it. God doesn't contradict himself in his word, only humans can do that.( Bernice, 162)

Christianity does not direct us to deny ourselves or our children of medical care or to endanger our lives, contrary to what some who clearly have a prejudiced and uninformed opinion would lead you to believe. Our stand on the sanctity of blood stems from faith, not ignorance or sadism. Furthermore, it has been acknowledged by quite a few in the medical field that blood transfusions are not always the best and only solution and in some cases causes more damage than good. Because of Jehovah's Witnesses and many enlightened members of the medical community, there have been great strides in bloodless procedures. Duke Hospital now has a Bloodless Surgery Unit.(Laura, 28)

The Amish will consent to transplantation if they believe it is for the well-being of the transplant recipient. John Hostetler, world renowned authority on Amish religion and professor of anthropology at Temple University in Philadelphia, says in his book, Amish Society, "The Amish believe that since God created the human body, it is God who heals." However, nothing in the Amish understanding of the Bible forbids them from using modern medical services, including surgery, hospitalization, dental work, anesthesia, blood transfusions or immunization.( Laura, 39)

Though Baptists generally believe that organ and tissue donation and transplantation are ultimately matters of personal conscience, the nation's largest protestant denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention, ...