18 - Sunday, September 30, 1990 - North Shore News SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING Holy blood BLOOD. WE can't see coursing through our veins, but it is an ever-present life-sustaining force. By Barbara Black Neses Reporter In medical practice today blood has become @ precious resource, even a commodity. People donate their blood, which is then stored in blood banks and liter transfus- ed into other people's bodies, often as_a life-saving measure. Jehovah's Witnesses would ' For Jehovah’s Witnesses refusing transfusions Is a cut and dried issue agree that blood is viral to lite. But its vers sanctity eutrules its Use in imedical practice, chevy believe. David and Anne Pysh, members of the Seymour Jehovah's Witness congregation, outline the doctring that prevents Witnesses from ac- cepting blood transfusions. “The Scripture in Acts 15:28-29 says tooabstain from blood.’ says David. So if vou were an alco- Refusals pose dilemma JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES’ refusal of blood transfusions poses a challenge to the medical profession. That challenge is both ethical and medical. Medically, Witnesses’ religious belicfs rule out transfusion of whole blood, packed RBCs and plasma, as well as WBC and platelet administration. Because they believe that blood removed from the body should be disposed of, they do not accept autotransfusion (transfusing one’s own blood) of predeposited blood. These restrictions pose a challenge to a physician who is trained to preserve life by employ- ing all the techniques at his disposal. But, rather than defying the patient’s wishes (and risking legal repurcussions) many physi- cians have adapted techniques and some hospitals have developed standard practice to treat Jehovah's Witnesses. Lions Gate Hospital, for in- stance, has a specific form for pa- tients (but not specifically Witnesses) to sign for refusal of blood or blood products. Alternatives to transfusions in- clude colloid replacement fluids, By Barbara Black News Reporter electrocautery, hypotensive anaesthesia and hypothermia. Blood substitutes are also ac- ceptable to the Witnesses. Says Anne Pysh, a North Vancouver Jehovah's Witness **God equates blood with the life of the individ- ual. A blood substitute would be acceptable -— it’s made up of chemizals, not blood from an in- dividual."” Dr. Barrie Purvis, chief of staff at LGH relates that there are some substitutes to replace blood parts but ‘‘none that are practical to replace the oxygen-carrying properties for a substantial period.’’ He adds that while it is not common for Jehovah's Witnesses to die from lack of blood, it dees certainly occur. In Canada there is no specific Patient’s Bill of Rights as there is in the United States. ‘‘But all the See Transfusions Page 20 APPOINTMENT NOTICE Jim Simmons Steve Ray, general sales manager of Plaza Lincoln Mercury Sales Ltd. is pleased to announce that Jim Simmons has joined Plaza as a sales and lease representative. Jim brings with him nine years of experience and knowledge with Ford on the North Shore. Jim is looking forward to his new appointment at Plaza Lincoln Mercury and welcomes all his former and new clients. ~ 1695 MARINE DRIVE NORTH VANCOUVER - 9864291: “OURS Non FEL 7AM Of M 6PM Ea JAY VLAIA SPM bolic and saur doctor said to abs- tain fram alchohol, would sou say ‘that’s fines Po wort drink a ET inject it instead.” and that’s not breaking his instructions?" Blood, he explains, is presented in the Bible as being ‘holy’ and belonging to God. His) instruc. tions were that blood was to be disposed of on the vround, it belonged to him. So cur stand on blood is scriptural, and not medi- cal, although there are some med- ical factors involved. In fact, most Physicians nowadays operate without bload."” Pysh said. Other” scriptures which make reference to blood are found in Genesis 9:3-4: “Only Mesh with its soul — its bloed -— you must not eat": and in Leviticus €7:03-14: (You must) pour its bleed out and cover iOwith dust.’* These passages, the Witnesses assert. indicate that God forbids blood transfusions. The Witness literature reasons that **...if animal blood...was of sacred significance to God, obviously human blood had a_ sacred significance of even greater value.”’ Others believe, However, that these passages refer strictly to animal blood and not to human blood. They do not see a correla- tion between drinking the blood of lower animals and the medical science of blood transfusion. 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