MANY people wish to help the cause of medical progress by donating money to UK medical research charities but are reluctant to do so because they are concerned that they may be contributing to an organisation that funds or carries out animal experiments.

A number of humane organisations exist specifically to fund non-animal research, in the search for cures to human disease.

Animal experimentation is not a necessary evil, as some groups may believe, and in many cases is inaccurate and misleading.

The Lord Dowding Fund for Humane Research funds research into better methods of testing products and curing disease, to replace the use of animals.

Since 1973, the LDF has awarded grants to research products including microsurgery, dental fillings, cancer, safety testing, Parkinson's Disease, cataracts and schizophrenia and aims to continue its work well into the 21st century until a complete replacement of living animals in research is achieved.

The fund receives no state funding and relies entirely on the generosity of the public to fund and maintain its projects.

For information or to make a donation write to: LDF, 261 Goldhawk Road, London W12 9PE or phone 0181-846 9777.

SHELLEY SIMMONS.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.