I have recently seen a set of guidelines from a funding source that specifically stated as an eligibility criteria that the applicant organization could not have received grants, contracts, or gifts from tobacco or tobacco related sources. As this was several weeks or months ago, I do not remember the exact funding source; but I will try to find it in our files. John John R. Baumann, Ph.D. Director Office of Sponsored Programs & Research Support University of Missouri -- Kansas City 5100 Rockhill Road (US Postal Service) 5211 Rockhill Road (Express Delivery) Kansas City, MO 64110 816.235.1303 (v) 816.235.6532 (f) xxxxxx@umkc.edu -----Original Message----- From: Vincelli, Diana [mailto:xxxxxx@RICHMOND.EDU] Sent: Tuesday, October 08, 2002 12:28 PM To: xxxxxx@HRINET.ORG Subject: Re: [RESADM-L] Policies on Funding from Tobacco Companies Tom, I'd like to hear more about this statement: "Now >we've become aware that some funding agencies (non-tobacco sponsors) >are beginning to restrict applicant eligibility to those institutions >that HAVE NOT accepted funding from the tobacco industry." At the Univ of Richmond, a private school in Virginia, we do not have restrictions against tobacco money, and have received grants from Philip Morris in the past for arts programs. Diana Vincelli University of Richmond -----Original Message----- From: Charlie Hathaway [mailto:xxxxxx@AECOM.YU.EDU] Sent: Tuesday, October 08, 2002 1:30 PM To: xxxxxx@HRINET.ORG Subject: Re: [RESADM-L] Policies on Funding from Tobacco Companies I think your investigation should consider the wisdom of a policy in reaction to the capriciousness of certain funders. You mention the issue of tobacco subsidiaries and how similar arguments could be used to prevent eligibility to alcohol industry funds. If we broaden the scope of the hysteria, the list is certainly longer. Why not include the entire pharmaceutical industry? Are they looking for truly revolutionary new types of agents to cure disease or just more data to support marketing claims? These may seem like tricky ethical questions. But I would like to think that our main concern should be with promoting and enforcing objectivity in the design, conduct, and reporting of research regardless of the source of funding. Charlie Hathaway At 12:26 PM 10/8/02 -0400, you wrote: >Good Afternoon, > >At Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, we are in the >very early stages of investigating the appropriateness of developing a >policy which would prohibit investigators from obtaining support from >tobacco companies or tobacco-related organizations. I'm interested in >hearing what other institutions have done or are contemplating. Until >recently, none of our investigators have ever expressed an interest in >tobacco funding. Now we've become aware that some funding agencies >(non-tobacco sponsors) are beginning to restrict applicant eligibility >to those institutions that HAVE NOT accepted funding from the tobacco >industry. Please note, BGSU does not include a medical school, but we >have a number of life science/social behavioral units that conduct >research in biomedical areas. > >I'd be interested in knowing: > >1. Does your institution have a policy prohibiting the acceptance of >tobacco industry funding? If so, can you direct me to a copy? Is there >a formal review process/review board? > >2. If you are a state institution, was the implementation or decision >to draft such a policy driven by state initiatives and/or tobacco >settlement funds allocated for research (or other funds to higher >education)? > >3. Do such policies fall under your compliance office, office of >development, sponsored research office, or elsewhere? > >4. Companies such as Philip Morris are huge multi-national entities. >Does an institutional policy prohibit funding from ALL subsidiaries and >brands of such a company--Kraft, Maxwell House, Post, etc.--or just the >Philip Morris External Research Program, for example? > >5. Research in one area can often lead to scientific breakthroughs in >others. Was there any discussion about how such a policy might >adversely impact academic freedom? If so, how was this issue addressed? > >6. The tobacco industry would appear to present a fairly clear and >direct scenario wherein in the continued use of the product can result >in ill health or even death; and there seems to be a perception that >research support from such an industry would only support that >industry's best interests. From the perspective of your own >institutions, do such policies lead elsewhere? For example, while >alcohol abuse is not the inevitable result of moderate drinking, binge >drinking is a concern across many campuses; yet academic researchers >receive funding from sources such as the Alcoholic Beverage Medical >Research Foundation, established by the malt beverage industries of the >US and Canada. Do any of your institutions have policies governing >funding from other industry sectors which could involve thorny moral >issues? > >...any other insights would be most appreciated. > >Thanks in advance. > >Tom > >Tom Kornacki >Associate Director >Office of Sponsored Programs and Research >Bowling Green State University >106 University Hall >Bowling Green, Ohio 43403 >419-372-2481; 419-372-0304 (fax) >xxxxxx@bgnet.bgsu.edu >http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/spar > > >====================================================================== > Instructions on how to use the RESADM-L Mailing List, including >subscription information and a web-searchable archive, are available >via our web site at http://www.hrinet.org (click on "Listserv Lists") >====================================================================== > > ====================================================================== Instructions on how to use the RESADM-L Mailing List, including subscription information and a web-searchable archive, are available via our web site at http://www.hrinet.org (click on "Listserv Lists") ====================================================================== ====================================================================== Instructions on how to use the RESADM-L Mailing List, including subscription information and a web-searchable archive, are available via our web site at http://www.hrinet.org (click on "Listserv Lists") ====================================================================== ====================================================================== Instructions on how to use the RESADM-L Mailing List, including subscription information and a web-searchable archive, are available via our web site at http://www.hrinet.org (click on "Listserv Lists") ======================================================================
