June 2001
US: BAYER SPONSORS SCIENTISTS AND HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS
„Corporations increasingly are funding academic scientists to conduct research, speak at press conferences, and provide advice“ says Michael Jacobson, executive director at the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). „Too frequently, neither the scientists nor the corporations disclose that funding.“ The CSPI lifted that veil of secrecy by launching an Internet site to provide information about the links between American scientists and corporations (www.integrityinscience.org).
The site also provides information about corporate support received by professional, health, and nonprofit organizations. Some of the most important groups – like the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association – are sponsored by the German Chemical and Pharmaceutical company BAYER. As a result, important health and environmental policies can be distorted by scientists who assert objectivity, but who receive funding from affected industries. The result could be more pollution, unsafe food additives, and dangerous consumer products. Among the organization funded by BAYER are:
AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION
Bayer contributes more than $500,000
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
American Heart Association has endorsed only Bayer aspirin. According to Kramer Laboratories, Inc. (Miami), „Bayer, as we understand it, contributes over $500,000 a year to the American Heart Association.“
ALLIANCE FOR THE PRUDENT USE OF ANTIBIOTICS
AMERICAN MEDICAL WRITERS ASSOCIATION
ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION
ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITIES RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Founded in 1994. Criticizes „multiple chemical sensitivity“ (MCS).
member of Board of Directors: Wayne Carlson, PhD, Bayer Corporation
NATIONAL CENTER FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL POLICY
part of the National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy (NCFAP) on October 1, 1993. The Program focuses on four major objectives:
1. Maintain publicly available national databases on pesticide use.
2. Develop methods and data systems to improve the estimation of pesticide benefits.
3. Provide information needed for implementing the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996
4. Prepare reports, articles, and testimony on pesticide policy issues.
Bayer is a member organization