The Population Research Institute (PRI) is a Catholic 501(c)3 non-profit organization and advocacy group based in Front Royal, Virginia, US.[1] The organization opposes abortion. They believe that overpopulation is a myth, and oppose hormonal birth control in females[2] and vasectomies in males.[3]
| Founder | Paul Marx |
|---|---|
| Type | Think tank |
| Headquarters | Front Royal, Virginia |
President | Steven W. Mosher |
Chair | John Delmare[1] |
Revenue (2018) | $1,462,224[1] |
| Expenses (2018) | $1,405,812[1] |
| Website | pop.org |
The PRI has been widely criticized for being a right-wing propaganda organization and not being neutral in its reporting.[4]
Background
editThe 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[5] group Human Life International as well. It became an independent institute in 1996.[6] The same year, the think tank got headed by Steven W. Mosher,[6][7] a social researcher and author who had witnessed forced abortions in China during the implementation of the one-child policy in 1980.[6]
Activities
editPRI opposes government attempts to control the population.[8] 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.[9] 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.[5] Mosher also advocated against the Chinese two-child policy, claiming that it was "being pushed to the masses through the communist party mechanism".[10]
Fundraising
editPRI 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.[11]
Criticism
editPRI's stance on overpopulation and the arguments for "Overpopulation is a Myth" have been described as deceptive.[12][13]
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
edit- ^ "Physician's Group Warns of Serious Health Risks Associated with Hormonal Contraception, Calls for Stricter Labeling". PRI. 2020-08-18. Retrieved 2020-11-23.
- ^ "Long-Term Complications of Male Vasectomies". PRI. 2001-07-01. Retrieved 2020-11-23.
- ^ "Population Research Institute - Bias and Credibility". Media Bias/Fact Check. 2024-08-17. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
- ^ a b Crossette, Barbara (2002-04-07). "U.N. Agency On Population Blames U.S. For Cutbacks". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
- ^ a b c Frawley Desmond, Joan (January 20, 2012). "Steve Mosher: A Vision of "Hell" Brought Him to the Church". National Catholic Register.
- ^ SourceWatch: Population Research Institute. (July 4, 2010). Retrieved 2016-12-05.
- ^ Stanway, David (March 12, 2019). "China lawmakers urge freeing up family planning as birth rates plunge". Reuters. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
- ^ Weiss, Kenneth R. (July 22, 2012). "Fertility rates fall, but global population explosion goes on". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Maizura Ismail (September 5, 2018). "Baby-making in the name of the nation". The ASEAN Post. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ^ "Population Research Institute". MediaTransparency. Archived from the original on March 10, 2007.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "IAP Statement on Population and Consumption". InterAcademy Panel: The Global Network of Science Academies (IAP).
- ^ A Response to Critics of Family Planning Programs. http://www.guttmacher.org/ (1 March 2009). Retrieved on 11 July 2013.