In a letter dated 19/12/2019, this charity stated: “Embrace currently supports maternal care projects with three partners. Our funding focuses on maternal care and safe delivery, as this is the support our partners have requested. These projects do not have a specific focus on family planning. Terminations are generally illegal in the Middle East or very heavily regulated and this is not a service which our partners are equipped or legally mandated to perform.
“However they would, where appropriate, refer cases on to the appropriate clinics, for instance in high risk pregnancies.”

In a statement on their website this charity states: “Epilepsy Action supports all research into epilepsy, and actively funds and carries out non-laboratory research. Epilepsy Action is committed to supporting people with epilepsy and others with a personal connection to have a voice in epilepsy research in the UK.”
https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/research [#AMRC#]

The charity’s research policy does not mention embryonic research. [#AMRC#].

Eve Appeal funds research into five gynaecological cancers. In a letter dated 5/12/2018, this charity stated: “We do not fund any research using human embryos and neither do our research teams.”
However, this charity endorses compulsory sex education in schools to raise awareness of gynaecological cancers. At the time of writing, this charity features a blog on its website written by an “18 year old campaigner for better relationships and sex education and the founder of ISupportSexEducation.com.” The writer is “a member of the Family Planning Association Youth Council and a former Stonewall Young Campaigner.” The writer of the blog welcomes compulsory sex education and says that the “draft guidelines are certainly a step in the right direction but present major gaps such as anatomy, pleasure and LGBTQ+ issues.” https://eveappeal.org.uk/blog/the-need-for-sexual-education-on-the-curriculum/

In a letter dated 18/1/2018, this charity stated: “We do not currently and, to our knowledge, have never previously funded any projects that involve the use of human embryonic stem cells. Stem cells can also be sourced by ‘reprogramming’ living adult cells (from for example skin and hair) and the stem cell research we currently fund uses these techniques. However, as a medical research charity it is our responsibility to ensure we are using the most effective approved techniques to achieve results.
“All research using embryonic stem cells is subject to strict regulation through the Human Fertilisation and Embryo Authority (HFEA) and within this framework Fight for Sight in principle supports research involving embryonic stem cells.” [#AMRC#]

In a letter dated 11/02/19, this charity stated: “to answer your question with respect to human embryo experimentation, this is not an area that the foundation has ever supported research into and it does not come within any of the research projects that have been undertaken in the Institute over the years or currently.” [#AMRC#]

This charity’s research strategy does not mention if it funds embryo research. [#AMRC#].

In a letter dated 13/12/2018, this charity stated: “… one of the main reasons for embryo research in addition to fertility, is because embryos are a source of stem cells. Stem cells have unique properties and have the ability to turn into almost any cell in the body. This means they have enormous potential to advance medicine. However, embryos are not the only source of stem cells.
“Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity supports the use of stem cells in research as long as the research meets legal and ethical requirements…
“… we are also increasingly focusing on areas which are using new techniques to generate stem cells. This includes using adult stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPCSs) – a type of stem cell that can be generated in the lab from cells such as those at the root of the hair or skin cells.”
Extracts from this charity’s “Position statement on the use of stem cells in research”, enclosed with the letter:
“We recognise that there are important ethical issues concerning the use of human embryonic stem cells and that some supporters of the charity will hold moral objection to the use of human embryonic stem cells in research. The wishes of these donors will be fully respected in relation to any donations they make.
“Most embryos used in UK stem cell research are embryos initially created for us in fertility treatment, but not used. These IVF embryos, if donated with the full consent of the parents, can be used for research. Licensed research can take place on embryo up to 14 days. Stem cells are isolated from the blastocyst much sooner than this – at 5-6 days.” [#AMRC#]

In a letter dated 13/12/2018, the Head of Research of this charity stated: “To my knowledge, Heart Research UK has not funded any research involving human embryos. However, the Charity does not have a policy that prohibits the use of human embryos in research.” [#AMRC#]

This charity works to improve health and prevent disability in developing countries. In a letter dated 6/12/2018, this organisation stated: “The whole thrust of IMPACT’s work is on the prevention and alleviation of causes of needless disability through, for example, straight-forward treatment and surgery, better nutrition and primary healthcare.
“We feel that sustained change can only be brought about by empowering women with information and to that end, family planning advice may be provided as one part of maternity care. This is done in line with Government policy in each country and taking into account cultural or religious sensitivities.”

This charity supports projects in places such as South Sudan, Jordan and Uganda, which are run locally by nuns. IRT receives support from “a large number of Catholic parishes, particularly from their associated Justice and Peace Groups and Developing Word Groups”.
In a letter dated 18/12/2018, this charity stated that none of its projects is “involved in birth control”.
The letter also stated: “However, the question has been raised as to whether the ‘Rainbow’ HIV/AIDS project in Nzara recommends condoms to prevent transmission.”
The letter included a response from the nun who oversees the project in Nzara, which included the statement: “It is true the use of condoms in not allowed by the catholic church (sic) but in some cases where the couple are both positive after consultation with the church personnel (parish Priest) (sic) may allow them to use it.”

In e-mails dated 22/11/23 and 28/11/23, this charity stated: “The Leprosy Mission is a Christian Charity and as such does not test, nor promotes testing on embryo stem cells across projects overseas. We do believe that women have the right to good reproductive health and where appropriate, provide advice and access to contraception. We do not however, promote abortion.
“Only one of our hospitals currently offer contraceptive services and that includes the following: providing temporary contraceptive services like oral pills, intrauterine devices (IUD), implants (hormonal methods), male condoms.
“Where we work with the elderly affected by leprosy, our aim is to build self-worth and bring healing. We do not promote or engage in assistive dying.”

In a letter received in 2019, this charity stated: “All requests considered for funding are subjected to Leuka’s rigorous and impartial selection process and the decisions we make about what we fund are based on merit and scientific excellence. At Leuka we only fund research that is ethically approved and abides by Leuka’s Research Policy that can be found on our website…
“From time to time the research we fund may involve the use of human stem cells. These cells are blood stem cells usually derived from the bone marrow of living adults. We have never funded research using human embryos.” [#AMRC#]

In a letter dated 11/4/2019, responded: “Professor Ken Mills, who is the Chair of Experimental Haematology … has confirmed that LLNI do not support research using human embryos. Additionally, we have not received any proposals for research funding that have included experimentation of this type.” [#AMRC#]

In a letter dated 7/12/2018, this organisation stated: “…here at Macmillan we don’t actually do any research into cancer, nor do we have any policies on assisted death or support any organizations that do. We are here to support people living with cancer find the best way through and live life as fully as they can.” [#AMRC#]

In a letter dated 17/12/2018, this charity stated: “As an organisation providing care, we are not seeking a change in the law to permit euthanasia or physician assisted suicide. As such, any money raised through donations would not go towards campaigns to promote assisted dying.”
A statement on the Marie Curie website includes the following on Advance Decisions to Refuse Treatment:
“As part of our commitment to good end of life care we support the existing right of a competent patient to refuse consent to any medical treatment and recommend that patients participate in plans for their future care, including Advance Decisions to Refuse Treatment, or their equivalent.”
SPUC promotes an ethical position in which the first duty of doctors is to give medical treatment in the best interests of the patient, not to follow directives which could lead to premature death of the patient. SPUC is also concerned that vulnerable people could be pressured to make Advance Decisions to Refuse Treatment.
The Marie Curie website also includes the following statement on human embryo research:
“The charity does not carry out or fund any experiments whatsoever on human embryos or human embryonic stem cells. Marie Curie has no plans to do so in the future.” [#AMRC#]

In a letter received on 30/4/2019, this organisation did not answer the question as to whether it funded research involving human embryos. The statement given in the letter was: “Any research that Medical research Scotland supports has to abide with all relevant legislation as it currently stands. Research proposals that involve the use of stem cells must have written authority from the UK Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA) and all studies where human tissues (irrespective of origin) is used must follow the Codes of Practice of the Human Tissue Authority.”

A letter dated 10/12/2018, this charity stated: “We do not fund any research which involves human embryo experimentation, nor do we support research using human embryos.” [#AMRC#]

In a letter dated 18/12/2018, the Director of Research, Evidence and Policy of this charity stated: “We do not currently fund any research which involves human embryo experimentation, and have not done so in the past. We can assure our supporters that their donations will not be used to support research using human embryos.” [#AMRC#]

In a letter dated 26/11/2018 stated: “You can be assured that there are no plans to pursue research with human embryos, and that we in no way support other organisations that research with human embryo experimentation.” [#AMRC#]

In a letter dated 11/12/2018, this charity stated: “The Association does not carry out its own research. Of all the institutions we find, only two are using embryonic stem cells and these are from an established line – this means they have not been sourced specifically for this research.
“We take a position of neutrality towards any change in the law on assisted dying. We always work within the law and do not provide encouragement or assistance to people wishing to pursue assisted dying.” https://www.mndassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/mnd-association-policy-statement-on-assisted-dying.pdf

In a letter dated 18/12/2018, this charity stated: “We recognise that using human embryos is an area that some people have concerns about. We are currently in the process of reviewing our formal policy and it will also be shared on our website.
“We co-fund research with a number of different organisations, including the Medical Research Council (MRC), National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) and other charities. Some of these organisation have their own policies on supporting the use of research using human embryonic stem cells. … However, at this time we are not currently funding research of this nature, either on our own or in collaboration with other organisations.” [#AMRC#]

Myeloma is a blood cancer. In a letter dated 19/12/2018 this charity stated: “We do not currently have a policy on human embryo experimentation as we do not fund any research on human embryos…
“Myeloma UK support research across a network of research/university hospitals in the Myeloma UK Clinical Trials Network. We are aware that some of those sites may have been involved in prior use of human embryos for research purposes.” [#AMRC#]

In a lettr dated 6/2/20, this charity said: “In respect of human embryo research/experimentation. We do not have a specific policy on this matter.” In the same letter they recommended looking at the list of research on their website (https://newlifecharity.co.uk/docs/medical-research/Completed-Research-New.php). This contains an extensive list of medical research projects, some of which may be of concern from an ethical perspective.
On abortion, Newlife stated in the same letter: “we do not give ‘advice’ to anyone. If we are asked for information on subjects such as pregnancy, termination or contraceptive services we always refer them back to their local GP and relevant health services.”
On assisted dying, the charity said: “We do not support directly or indirectly the promotion of assisted dying.”

In a letter dated 20/05/19, the charity stated: “we are a cancer research charity and fund research withing academic institutions and/or the NHS. These organisations have their own ethical guidance and researchers adhere to and we request all potential investigators to identify their ethical processes and/or approvals within their applications.
“To my knowledge we have not funded any human embryo research.” [#AMRC#]

In a letter dated 16/4/2019 this charity stated: “We do not carry out any direct scientific research ourselves. Our research is overseen by our scientific research committee and all funded research must meet our stringent criteria which include ethical approval… no programme of research involving investigations in humans will be funded in the absence of relevant ethical approval documentation.” [#AMRC#]

In a letter dated 25/4/2019, this charity stated: “Orthopaedic Research UK is a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) who guidelines we follow.” [#AMRC#]

In a letter dated 12/12/2018, this organisation stated: “We have never and have no intention of funding any research that experiments on human embryos. We also do not support any organisations that carry out research of this kind.” [#AMRC#]

In a letter dated 17/4/2019, this charity stated: “We have a very small research portfolio, the main criteria for which is that the projects will help advance early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. We invest in small (less that £40,000 each), proof of concept projects that, when successful, can go on to receive additional funding from major cancer funders such as Cancer research UK and the Medical Research Council to extend their research.
“To date, we have not, and currently do not, fund any human embryo experimentation and, due to the complexity of the science and the huge amount of funds needed for this type of research (which we don’t have), it is very unlikely that our funds will be spent in this area in the future.” [#AMRC#]

In a letter dated 18/1/2019 this charity stated: “None of the research we fund uses human embryos. In fact, pancreatic cancer research generally does not involve the use of human embryos. Research is done using pancreatic cancer cell lines or using animal models – predominantly mice.” [#AMRC#]

A letter dated 11/2/219 was ambiguous about whether researchers funded by Parkinson’s UK actually used embryo stem cells. Parkinson’s UK policy statement on stem cell research states: “Stem cell research has the potential to lead to new and better treatments for Parkinson’s. We understand the sensitive issues around certain areas of stem cell research, and respect the views of those concerned by the, but we firmly support the continuation of stem cell based research within the rigorous ethical and regulatory framework in place in the UK.”
More research is needed.
Parkinson’s UK policy statement – End of life care:
“Parkinson’s UK neither supports nor opposes a change in the law to allow assisted dying, although we monitor changes in legislation to ensure that people with Parkinson’s are appropriately safeguarded. Our position is neutral because we recognise that people affected by Parkinson’s have a wide range of personal beliefs on this issue.” www.parkinsons.org.uk/about-us/end-life-and-assisted-suicide [#AMRC#]

In a letter dated 11/12/2018 this organisation stated: “The Pelican Cancer Foundation does not have a ‘position’ on embryo research, we do not support any research that used embryos or likely to do so.” [#AMRC#]

In a letter dated 24/4/2019, this organisation stated: “Pharmacy Research UK does not fund laboratory-based research, which means we would not fund any research involving human embryo experimentation.
“As a charity our remit is focused on research exploring the way in which pharmacies can best improve the health of the public.” [#AMRC#]

In a letter dated 18/12/2018, this organisation stated: “We do not fund human embryo experimentation, nor have we ever been asked to support it. We do not have a policy on this as, due to our focus on advanced prostate cancer, it is extremely unlikely that we will.” [#AMRC#]

In a letter dated 14/5/19, this charity stated: “We do not provide specialist reproductive healthcare services. Women and girls who are referred to us or who access our services have experienced sexual violence. They may have additional reproductive healthcare needs, including contraception and terminations, but these services would be provided by a specialist reproductive healthcare provider in their locality such as BPAS, Marie Stopes, NHS and Brook.”

In a letter dated 17 April 2019, this charity stated: “We are not currently funding any research that uses human embryos. Where stem cells are used by researchers, they are usually induced pluripotent stem cells. These are mature human cells, taken from skim biopsies or blood samples, that are re-programmed to return to an embryonic-like state and can then be coaxed to develop into retinal cells.
“All research we fund must have clear potential to benefit people with IRD and the research must be conducted following robust legal, ethical and regulatory frameworks.” [#AMRC#]

Rett syndrome is a rare non-inherited genetic postnatal neurological disorder that occurs almost exclusively in girls and leads to severe impairments, affecting nearly every aspect of the child’s life: their ability to speak, walk, eat, and even breathe easily.
In a letter dated 23/4/2019, the Executive Director of this charity stated: “I can confirm that neither Reverse Rett, nor any organisations that we financially support, conduct any research on human embryos.
“Laboratory research in Rett Syndrome is largely concentrated on mouse models of the disorder. There are some experiments using human cell lines, but these are cell lines of living people with Rett Syndrome taken from skin cells.” [#AMRC#]