Organization:Population Research Institute

From HandWiki
Population Research Institute
MottoPutting people first[1]
FounderPaul Marx
TypeThink tank
HeadquartersFront Royal, Virginia
President
Steven W. Mosher
Chair
John Delmare[1]
Revenue (2018)
$1,462,224[1]
Expenses (2018)$1,405,812[1]
Websitepop.org

The Population Research Institute (PRI) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Front Royal, Virginia, US.[1] The organization's activities reflect a 'pro-life' perspective. They believe that overpopulation is a myth. They oppose abortion and hormonal birth control in females[2] and vasectomies in males.[3] In addition, the organization issues opinion pieces questioning the veracity of human driven climate change[4] and the natural origin of COVID-19.[5]

Background

The Population Research Institute was founded in 1989 by Paul Marx (1920–2010), a family sociologist, Catholic priest and Benedictine monk who had established the anti-abortion[6] group Human Life International as well. It became an independent institute in 1996.[7] The same year, the think tank got headed by Steven W. Mosher,[7][8] a social researcher and author who had witnessed forced abortions in China during the implementation of the one-child policy in 1980.[7]

Activities

PRI opposes government attempts to control the population.[9] According to the Los Angeles Times , PRI's Mosher successfully helped lobby the George W. Bush administration to withhold US$34 to $40 million per year for seven years from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the largest international donor to family planning programs.[10] The research institute opined that UNPFA was using American money to fund Chinese compulsory sterilization and abortions, a claim denied by the population fund, noting that it does not work in areas where the one-child policy in still in force.[6] Mosher also advocated against the Chinese two-child policy, claiming that it was "being pushed to the masses through the communist party mechanism".[11]

Fundraising

PRI obtains the vast majority of its funding from charitable contributions, gifts, and grants, with a total revenue of 1.46 million dollars in financial year 2018. Of this, 75.6% was spent on program expenses, 4.9% on administration, and 19.3% on fundraising.[1]

The institute has received funding from The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, Inc., claimed to be in support of conferences on human rights in China.[12]

Criticism

PRI's stance on overpopulation and the arguments for "Overpopulation is a Myth" have been described as deceptive.[13][14]

Charity Navigator classifies charities with respect to "Accountability & Transparency" and "Financial Performance". In 2020 it awarded two out of four stars to PRI for "Accountability & Transparency", and one for "Financial", which combined for an overall score of 70.46, rated as two stars.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "Rating for Population Research Institute (based on 2018 financial year, the latest available at publication date)". 1 February 2020. https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=10080. 
  2. "Physician’s Group Warns of Serious Health Risks Associated with Hormonal Contraception, Calls for Stricter Labeling" (in en-US). 2020-08-18. https://www.pop.org/physicians-group-warns-of-serious-health-risks-associated-with-hormonal-contraception-calls-for-stricter-labeling/. 
  3. "Long-Term Complications of Male Vasectomies" (in en-US). 2001-07-01. https://www.pop.org/problems-side-effects-men-vasectomy/. 
  4. "Climate Change Home" (in en-US). https://www.pop.org/climate-change-home/. 
  5. "Coronavirus Updates" (in en-US). https://www.pop.org/coronavirus/. 
  6. 6.0 6.1 Crossette, Barbara (2002-04-07). "U.N. Agency On Population Blames U.S. For Cutbacks" (in en-US). The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/07/world/un-agency-on-population-blames-us-for-cutbacks.html. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Frawley Desmond, Joan (January 20, 2012). "Steve Mosher: A Vision of "Hell" Brought Him to the Church". National Catholic Register. http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/steve-mosher-a-vision-of-hell-brought-me-to-the-church. 
  8. SourceWatch: Population Research Institute. (July 4, 2010). Retrieved 2016-12-05.
  9. Stanway, David (March 12, 2019). "China lawmakers urge freeing up family planning as birth rates plunge". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-parliament-population/china-lawmakers-urge-freeing-up-family-planning-as-birth-rates-plunge-idUSKBN1QT0SM.  Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  10. Weiss, Kenneth R. (July 22, 2012). "Fertility rates fall, but global population explosion goes on". Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/population/la-fg-population-matters1-20120722-html,0,7213271.htmlstory. 
  11. Maizura Ismail (September 5, 2018). "Baby-making in the name of the nation". The ASEAN Post. http://www.theaseanpost.com/article/baby-making-name-nation.  Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  12. "Population Research Institute". MediaTransparency. http://www.mediatransparency.org/recipientgrants.php?recipientID=2098. 
  13. "IAP Statement on Population and Consumption". InterAcademy Panel: The Global Network of Science Academies (IAP). http://www.interacademies.net/10878/19191.aspx. 
  14. A Response to Critics of Family Planning Programs. http://www.guttmacher.org/ (1 March 2009). Retrieved on 11 July 2013.

External links