In the Nov. 15 WT of 1967 organ transplants were banned for JWs’ whereas they had previously allowed such as late as 1961. they used this in reinforcing their stand on blood, saying that blood is also an organ transplant (see quote below for 1977). Then in 1980 they changed their stance, allowing organ transplants as a matter of individual conscience! Strangely, no mention was made of blood no longer being an organ, so one must assume they are contradicting themselves on this point, as they still refuse blood transfusions. In 1984, they allowed for a bone-marrow transplant - the very source of blood! Still, a blood transfusion would merit disfellowshipping from the organization.
1909 Acts 15:1-35 (including prohibition on blood) not considered as law for Christians. WT REPRINTS 1909, p. 4374
1945 Denunciation of blood transfusions as pagan and God-dishonoring. WT July 1, 1945, p. 198-201
1961 Taking a blood transfusion is grounds for disfellowshipping. WT, 1961, p. 63, 64 Donating organs (eyes) for transplant up to your conscience WT, 1961, p. 480
1963 Any fraction of blood considered as a nutrient not to be used in medical treatment. WT Feb 15, 1963, p. 124 (See also Awake! of Feb 22, 1975, p. 30
1964 Cosmetics in which cows blood is used are condemned, as well as fertilizers which contained blood. Pet owners told it is wrong to allow transfusions to be given to sick animals. Food with blood in it not to be given to pets. Awake! May 8, p. 30; WT p. 127, 128
1967 Organ transplants are a form of cannibalism and to be shunned. WT Nov. 15 1967, p. 702-704 (Compare 1961)
1977 Blood transfusions are organ transplants: “ ... man a person might decline blood simply because it is essentially an organ transplant that at best is only partially compatible with his own blood.” Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Question of Blood, 1977, p. 41 (Compare 1961)
1978 Ban on certain blood fractions lifted for hemophiliacs. (Wt June 15, 1978, p. 30 (Compare 1963).
1980 Organ transplants are a matter of conscience, decided by the individual. WT March 15, 1980, p. 31 (Compare 1967, 1977)
1984 Accepting a bone-marrow transplant is up to your conscience. WT May 15, 1984, p. 31.
1985 An infant accepting an autotransfusion of minute amounts of blood for test purposes is up to the conscience of its parents. (letter correspondence).
There has been much speculation as to what the next position taken by the WT will be on blood. It is likely that they will allow for more loopholes in their interpretation of what is “lawful.”
One thing for certain, though. For the WT to admit that they were wrong would cause too great a stir in their ranks, so any changes must be presented as “new light” in order to make it appear that “Jehovah” is making the changes, rather than a few men on the Governing Body.