Puts additional burdens on the rest of society

BMJ 1994;309:124-125 (9 July)

Letters

Puts additional burdens on the rest of society

EDITOR,--The cases of Finfer et al¹ illustrate a well knowndifficulty in the treatment of Jehovah's Witnesses, who do notwish to act counter to an unusual interpretation of an ancientscripture. These cases were managed without the transfusionof blood products; one patient died, and the other, surprisingly,survived.

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that, even when they have been seriouslyinjured, avoidance of blood products is their highest responsibility.This is their privilege in a free society, but it is not theJehovah's Witness's only responsibility. Like everyone else,they are responsible for the care of their families and thedevelopment of their church. In my opinion, they also have aresponsibility not to put additional burdens on the rest ofsociety in the pursuit of this privilege for themselves.

Alternative treatments are imperfect by all orthodox measures.General hospitals will never maintain hyperbaric chambers toprovide alternative treatment for . . . [Full text of this article]

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Relevant Article

Managing patients who refuse blood transfusions: an ethical dilemma: Major trauma in two patients refusing blood transfusion: S Finfer, S Howell, J Miller, K Willett, and J Wilson-MacDonald
BMJ 1994 308: 1423-26. [Extract] [Full Text]