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Cardiopulmonary Bypass pp 473–480Cite as

Religious Objections to Blood Transfusion

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Abstract

God’s admonition to Noah serves as the cornerstone scripture upon which Jehovah’s Witnesses base their objection to transfusion of blood and blood products. The Jehovah’s Witnesses are not a fanatic cult or religious eccentrics. They seek and comply with modern medical and surgical treatment, believing strongly in their religious duty to keep healthy the “bodily temple” God has given them. They do not partake of alcohol or recreational drugs and reject abortions, professing that they cherish and respect life too much to waste it. 2

Every moving animal that is alive may serve as food for you. As in the case of green vegetation, I do give it all to you. Only flesh with its soul—its blood—you must not eat. Genesis 9: 3,41

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Authors
  1. Robert B. Lee
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  2. Tomas D. Martin
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, 30322, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Christina T. Mora M.D.

  2. Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, 30322, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Robert A. Guyton M.D.

  3. Perfusion Services, Emory University Hospitals, 30322, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Richard L. Rigatti B.S., C.T., C.C.T.

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© 1995 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.

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Lee, R.B., Martin, T.D. (1995). Religious Objections to Blood Transfusion. In: Mora, C.T., Guyton, R.A., Finlayson, D.C., Rigatti, R.L. (eds) Cardiopulmonary Bypass. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-2484-6_32

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-2484-6_32

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-7557-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-2484-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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