When Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood, they regularly ask their physic
ians to explore and provide all other medically and scientifically bas
ed alternatives, even when these alternatives may not be as effective
and may carry risk of failure that could lead to physical disabilities
or death. An awareness of the values at stake and of other cases from
personal experience and the literature can help physicians, patients,
and their families to move toward ethically responsible decisions and
actions.