Population Research Institute (organization)

The Population Research Institute (PRI) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization 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] In addition, the organization issues opinion pieces questioning the veracity of human driven climate change[4] and the natural origin of COVID-19.[5]

Population Research Institute
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

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. "Rating for Population Research Institute (based on 2018 financial year, the latest available at publication date)". Charity Navigator. 1 February 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  2. "Physician's Group Warns of Serious Health Risks Associated with Hormonal Contraception, Calls for Stricter Labeling". PRI. 2020-08-18. Retrieved 2020-11-23.
  3. "Long-Term Complications of Male Vasectomies". PRI. 2001-07-01. Retrieved 2020-11-23.
  4. "Climate Change Home". Population Resource Institute. Retrieved 2020-11-23.
  5. "Coronavirus Updates". Population Resource Institute. Retrieved 2020-11-23.
  6. 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.
  7. Frawley Desmond, Joan (January 20, 2012). "Steve Mosher: A Vision of "Hell" Brought Him to the Church". National Catholic Register.
  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. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  10. Weiss, Kenneth R. (July 22, 2012). "Fertility rates fall, but global population explosion goes on". Los Angeles Times.
  11. Maizura Ismail (September 5, 2018). "Baby-making in the name of the nation". The ASEAN Post. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  12. "Population Research Institute". MediaTransparency. Archived from the original on March 10, 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  13. "IAP Statement on Population and Consumption". InterAcademy Panel: The Global Network of Science Academies (IAP).
  14. A Response to Critics of Family Planning Programs. http://www.guttmacher.org/ (1 March 2009). Retrieved on 11 July 2013.
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