Many people want to support charities which do not go against their pro-life values. This updated guide has been prepared to help you in deciding which charities you would like to support.
The Traffic Light Guide includes only the stated or known stance and activities of the charities listed. The following ranking system is used to score the charities:
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Concern Worldwide
Red
In a letter received in January 2019, this charity stated: “In many of the countries Concern works in, we partner with other NGOs and Ministries of Health to offer information, knowledge and skills so that people can make informed choices regarding their family planning options (often termed “child spacing”) to allow more time between pregnancies to protect a mother’s health, and any existing and future pregnancies and children.”
“Family planning is integral to the Ethiopian Government’s current 5 year plan, and Concern is supporting this work also.” -
Crohn’s and Colitis UK
Amber
In a letter dated 14/2/19, this charity stated: “We are not aware of any IBD-related research that involves human embryo experimentation.”
[#AMRC#]. -
Crohn’s in Childhood Research Association (CIRCA)
Unknown status
We do not currently have details for this charity.
-
Cure Parkinson’s Trust
Amber
In a letter dated 29/5/19, this charity states: “Primarily we are currently funding a portfolio of clinical trials of drugs with the potential to slow down stop or even reverse the progression of Parkinson’s…We do also support work with stem cells as we view this as a Parkinson’s reversal strategy. Current research with stem cells is focusing on taking skin cells that have been donated by people turning them into stem cells called pluripotent stem cells which are being transplanted into people living with Parkinson’s in Japan.”
The CPT does seem to have funded research using human embryonic stem cells in the past – https://www.cureparkinsons.org.uk/News/stem-cell-study-paves-the-way-for-pd-patient-therapies.
[#AMRC#]. -
DEBRA
Amber
This charity funds research and supports people living with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a group of genetic skin conditions which cause the skin to blister and tear at the slightest touch.
In a letter dated 6/12/2018, DEBRA stated: “Currently we do not fund any research involving embryos.” [#AMRC#] -
Dementia UK
Green
In a letter dated 4/12/2018, this charity stated: “It is accepted that individuals within any organisation will hold various and personal views on all matters, including assisted dying, however, as an organisation, Dementia UK do not support it and neither to we have a policy on it.”
-
Diabetes UK
Red
In a statement on their website dated October 2011, this charity said:
“Diabetes UK has committed to support stem cell research both publicly and financially through our research grant programme. This position is also in line with that of the Association of Medical Research Charities, of which Diabetes UK is a member. In our 2009 survey of Diabetes UK members, an overwhelming majority supported the use of adult stem cells in diabetes research, around two thirds supported the use of human embryos, and a majority supported the use of human-hybrid embryos.
“Diabetes UK acknowledges that there are important ethical considerations surrounding the use of stem cells in research, and will continue to monitor developments in stem cell research to ensure our investment in research holds the maximum potential to improve the lives of people living with diabetes.
“A few studies involving stem cells have entered early stage clinical trials. However, these techniques are still experimental and, even if they prove successful, are many years away from widespread use on the NHS as treatments for diabetes.” [#AMRC#]
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/research/our-approach-to-research/research-position-statements/stem_cell_research_and_diabetes -
DM Thomas Foundation for Young People
Green
The DM Thomas Foundation for Young People gives grants to charities supporting children under DMTFYP’s four target groups:
- Children and young people with disabilities
- Children and young people who are sick in hospital
- Children and young people who are life limited (requiring palliative care)
- Children and young people who are disadvantaged and have mental health issues
“In a letter dated 12/2/19, this charity stated: “with regards to your question on reproductive health services, we do not have a policy on this.”
-
Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA)
Amber
In a letter dated 16/12/2018, this charity stated it “would not want to see a world without people with Down’s syndrome”.
The letter lists the ways in which it is working with agencies involved in “antenatal screening pathways across England and Wales”. One point this charity highlights is that:
“Professionals need to develop their skills in providing non-directive counselling – to enable women to make personalised, informed decisions about what is right for them.”
The letter also stated that the Down’s Syndrome Association is “not active in the areas of i) human embryo research ii) assisted dying or iii) the provision of contraceptive services to women or girls.
A statement on this charity’s website reads:
“At the Down’s Syndrome Association, we do not believe Down’s syndrome in itself should be a reason for termination, however, we realise that families must make their own choice.”
https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/news/statement-in-response-to-richard-dawkins-comments-on-twitter/?highlight=termination -
Duchenne UK
Amber
Duchenne UK funds research to accelerate treatments and find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
In a letter dated 11/2/19, this charity stated: “Duchenne UK do not support any research using human embryos, so your money would not go towards this research. Additionally, to our knowledge none of the organisations we work with do this research either.”
[#AMRC#] -
EMBRACE the Middle East
Amber
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.” -
Encephalitis Society
Green
In a 2019 letter this charity stated: “… we do not have a policy on human embryo experimentation and we don’t currently fund any research using human embryos.”
-
Epilepsy Action
Amber
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#] -
Epilepsy Research UK
Amber
The charity’s research policy does not mention embryonic research. [#AMRC#].
-
Epilepsy Society
Green
In a letter dated 4/6/19, this charity stated: “We do not carry out this sort of research {human embryos} at Epilepsy Society and do not work with organisations that are involved in this area of work. At the Chalfont Centre our research is focused on genomics and neuroimaging as well as neuropsychology. Any donations received support our work in these areas.”