Distillations: Science + Culture + History

Everyone knows blood is powerful. The ancient Greeks realized it, Jesus understood it, Dracula certainly recognized it, and your doctor still knows it today. And everybody knows, says hematologist and historian of medicine Jacalyn Duffin, that if we lose a lot of blood, we’re going to die. Jehovah’s Witnesses’ beliefs have led them to refuse blood transfusions—to the consternation of many inside the medical profession. But the religious group still wants medical care, says reporter Alex Ashley, and their advocacy has helped propel a new movement in medicine in which doctors perform surgeries without transfusing blood. Remarkably, it has turned out better for everyone, suggesting that religion and medicine might be less at odds than they sometimes seem. Show Clock: 00:04 Intro01:35 Feature: When a Pint of Sweat Saves a Gallon of Blood14:04 Blood is powerful17:25 Blood is religious18:40 Blood is a miracle21:45 Blood is dangerous24:35 Conclusion Credits: Hosts: Michal Meyer and Bob KenworthyGuest: Jacalyn Duffin