White Blood Cells

[Berean]

Hi all,

I've recently been thinking about an aspect of the WTS blood policy, mainly the breaking down of blood into components. Now, they break down blood in four main components: plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets - all of which are a big no-no. My question concerns white blood cells. These are found not only in blood, but also in milk. Why is it that drinking milk, and thus consuming white blood cells, is allowed, but when the white blood cells come from blood, they are not allowed to be consumed?

My own stance on this matter is that I think there's nothing wrong about drinking milk (as is evident from the Bible itself: a land flowing with milk and honey, and the Israelite custom of cooking goat meat in milk), but there is something wrong about taking white blood cells from blood. Now what is my problem? The WTS blood policy is contradictory in this case:

- White blood cells from elsewhere (like from milk): YES; white blood cells from blood: NO
- Blood fractions from elsewhere: YES; blood fractions from blood: YES

Why is it that you're allowed to use one substance acquired from blood, but not another? I know this might sound like splitting hairs, but the entire WTS blood policy is based on splitting hairs. I really don't understand why there would be a hierarchy here - if blood is to be poured upon the ground, you cannot use any of its components, methinks. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

[Sketch]

Hi all,

I've recently been thinking about an aspect of the WTS blood policy, mainly the breaking down of blood into components. Now, they break down blood in four main components: plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets - all of which are a big no-no. My question concerns white blood cells. These are found not only in blood, but also in milk. Why is it that drinking milk, and thus consuming white blood cells, is allowed, but when the white blood cells come from blood, they are not allowed to be consumed?
...
- White blood cells from elsewhere (like from milk): YES; white blood cells from blood: NO
- Blood fractions from elsewhere: YES; blood fractions from blood: YES

Why is it that you're allowed to use one substance acquired from blood, but not another? I know this might sound like splitting hairs, but the entire WTS blood policy is based on splitting hairs. I really don't understand why there would be a hierarchy here - if blood is to be poured upon the ground, you cannot use any of its components, methinks. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.[/b]

aside from being incredibly gross, you do have a point. I'm sure the WTS has some sort of reason for it... in all the legalese they have, there has to be some ambiguous line in there about milk... probably something about the amount of white blood cells involved - similar to the organ donation issue.

[Berean]

aside from being incredibly gross[/b]
Yes, sorry about that...


in all the legalese they have, there has to be some ambiguous line in there about milk... probably something about the amount of white blood cells involved - similar to the organ donation issue.[/b]
Well, I've searched the Watchtower Library CD, but I didn't find any allusion to leukocytes in milk... it really makes me wonder if they know what they're doing - perhaps they think if they make the rules murky enough, they'll get off the hook.

[TheCook]

Interesting topic, I thought. Sometimes problems occur when men try to apply scripture to modern situations by dissecting it, however earnest their efforts. Anyway, it seems sometimes fractions of white blood cells can be acceptable.

<blockquote>I have no idea if the leukocytes in milk counts as fractions, however, I&#39;m not a biologist hehe. All I know is, my conscience allows me to drink milk. I used to LOVE black pudding (coincidentally always with milk) before I started studying the Bible, but eating it now that I know Jehovah&#39;s view of blood consumption would be impossible. Although I still find it smells great in the pan, which I once found out at a bible study&#39;s.