Your Body, Your Choice

February 13, 2008 | Filed Under Recommended Reading | Leave a Comment 

Around the globe, Jehovah’s Witnesses are recognised for their stand on blood. That is, they refuse to eat blood, to drink blood and to have blood pumped into their bodies. In recognition of their Creator’s authority and His commands given in the Holy Scriptures, they “abstain from blood.”

Whilst many of the general public assume that this is a naive decision on the part of Jehovah’s Witnesses, what they don’t realize is that modern medical practice is beginning to harmonize with the wisdom in God’s Word. Hardly a surprise, but interesting none the less!

As one of Jehovah’s Witnesses myself, I like to assure those who ask me that my decision is a sound one. I make it not because of medical reasons, but because of my firm faith in the saving power of blood. But that discussion is for another time and place. I also feel it is important to be well informed regarding my choice as far as medical matters are concerned. In recent years it has become clear that there is more to my decision than simply saying “no blood.”

It saddens me greatly when people cruelly say that I would rather watch my children die than give them blood. I want the very best medical care for myself, my children and everyone. I wonder whether people who say such things are really aware of the rapidly expanding field of bloodless medicine and surgery.

Therefore, I highly recommend the following title:

Your Body, Your Choice - The Layman’s Guide to Bloodless Medicine and Surgery
- Shannon Farmer and David Webb

This book gives an excellent but fairly brief history of the use of blood in medicine. Then it shows you clearly what blood is, how it works, why it is so vital and what blood is actually made up of. Also detailed are a whole host of facts, figures, statistics and case studies showing the dangers of using blood and how advantageous bloodless medicine and surgery has been, is and will yet be. Really, this book highlights so well that bloodless medicine and surgery is not an “alternative” but rather an informed choice. And when it comes to medical treatment the title is true, it is your body, your choice. Make it well!