Do you look at where the money comes from? Robert Bienkowski 01 Jun 1994 08:45 EST

Greetings,

Way back when I was a graduate student, faculties at several universities
opted not to accept funding from the Department of Defense. The stand was
taken because many researchers were morally opposed to the war in Vietnam.
Although many may disagree, I think the position was defensible.

Now my question is do any universities or college out there have policies
about not accepting research funds from certain sources. In particluar, I
am thinking about the Council for Tobacco Research.

CTR has a long history of supporting basic resaerch related to lung biology
and cancer, and it does have a "distinguished" board of directors and reviewers.

The counterarguments can be made, however, that CTR is "front" organization
funded by an industry that profits from a product that causes cancer, and heart
and lung diseases. And in giving away a relatively small sum, CTR is buying
the researchers' credibility.

Does anyone worry about these things?

Bob Bienkowski

Robert Bienkowski, PhD
Director
Pediatric Research Center
Schneider Children's Hospital
Long Island Jewish Medical Center
New Hyde Park NY
xxxxxx@qcvaxa.acc.qc.edu