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ARTHRITIS SOCIETY DOES NOT OBJECT TO FUNDING EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH

OTTAWA, May 20, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Arthritis Society (TAS), a Canadian national organization which receives the bulk of its funding from the Knights of Columbus a Catholic fraternal organization, has revealed that it has no objection to funding embryonic stem cell research. A May 2003 position paper from TAS notes that it follows "the funding guidelines issued by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research".

LifeSite interviewed TAS President and CEO Denis Morrice who confirmed that TAS would fund embryonic stem cell research in accordance with the guidelines of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). As LifeSite has reported previously, the CIHR guidelines permit funding of destructive research on live human embryos which were left unused after fertility treatments.

LifeSite asked Morrice if the contribution of the Knights to the organization was taken into account during the consideration of supporting such research. Morrice responded, "No" noting that the Society follows governmental guidelines in such matters. When LifeSite asked about the possibility of a loss of funding for the Society Morrice said he was "confident" that the Knights would understand that funds can be specifically designated to projects that donors do not find offensive.

The Arthritis Society Position paper on stem cell research concludes: "The Arthritis Society assures donors who oppose any research, program or service funded by The Society, that their donations will be applied to alternate peer-reviewed research, programs or services, funded by The Arthritis Society."

Donations from the Knights to the TAS are a serious matter. In fact, the TAS website admits that the Ontario Knights of Columbus are "the No. 1 contributors to Arthritis Society research in the country." The website notes that in 1972 "the Ontario Knights adopted The Arthritis Society (TAS) as their principal charity." Donations thus far have reached about $15 million.

See The Arthritis Society Position paper reproduced on LifeSite at:
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/may/030521b.html

See the Arthritis Society statements about the Knights of Columbus:
http://www.arthritis.ca/programs%20and%20resources/news%20magazine/1996/knights/...

See related LifeSite coverage:
CANADIAN GOV'T RESEARCH FUNDING BODY FUNDS EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/may/03051502.html
HEALTH MINISTER WILL NOT STOP CIHR GOV'T FUNDING OF HUMAN EMBRYO RESEARCH
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/may/03051604.html

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