WASHINGTON, D.C.— Despite previous private assurances that it would never give to Planned Parenthood, pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. has been added to The Boycott List for doing just that. “Needless-to-say, we are very disappointed that Pfizer Inc. has decided to support Planned Parenthood,” said Douglas R. Scott, president of Life Decisions International (LDI).

In a May 13, 2004 letter to Pfizer chairman & CEO Henry A. McKinnell, Jr., Scott noted that abortion is one of the most controversial issues in the world. “By supporting Planned Parenthood, Pfizer has thrust itself into the middle of this volatile issue,” he wrote. He requested that Pfizer “take the necessary steps to keep the company off The Boycott List, thereby escaping any public statement regarding its support of an abortion-advocacy group.”

“It seems that regardless of the personal views of the employees at Pfizer Inc., it is not in the best interest of any corporation to become embroiled in such a controversial issue,” Scott wrote. “Doing so is simply bad business.”

Responding on behalf of McKinnell was Richard Luftglass, Pfizer Inc.’s Director for U.S. Philanthropy. He wrote that the Company “does not provide unrestricted direct contributions to Planned Parenthood.” He went on to say that, “From time to time, in some local communities where Pfizer has facilities, the local sites or employees provide grants in support for programs such as health education, public awareness and community health.”

Scott responded to Luftglass’ points: “It is immaterial to us whether or not gifts to Planned Parenthood are ‘unrestricted’ or ‘direct.’ A restricted grant is merely a matter of bookkeeping. It releases unrestricted funds for abortion-related activity. And how a gift reaches Planned Parenthood is nothing more than an issue of philanthropic procedures.”

Luftglass wrote that Pfizer Inc. recognizes that “individuals and organizations have different perspectives on social and health issues such as abortion. As a company, we do not believe it is appropriate for Pfizer to take a position in this area.”

But Scott challenged Luftglass’ reasoning. “It is inherently impossible to fund the world’s leading abortion advocacy group while simultaneously claiming a neutral position on abortion. Your support of Planned Parenthood gives the group legitimacy.” Scott continued: “If the Ku Klux Klan were to open a non-racist reading program to all young people, would Pfizer or any other corporation fund it while claiming to take no position on racism? Of course not.”

Scott sent two brochures to Luftglass that demonstrate Planned Parenthood’s insidious nature and requested that Pfizer’s leadership examine them. “Does Pfizer really want to be associated with such a group?” Scott asked.

Luftglass concluded his letter by claiming a boycott of Pfizer Inc. would harm sick people. “Pfizer’s products are important therapies for diseases such as cancer, heart disease, schizophrenia, depression, HIV/AIDS, and infections. A boycott of Pfizer medicines would be detrimental to the interests of patients everywhere,” he wrote. “We hope you will consider the negative impact of such a decision [to boycott the company].”

“We are not boycotting Pfizer because of the good products the company produces,” Scott responded. “We are boycotting Pfizer because it supports Planned Parenthood. Let this be a moral dilemma for Pfizer. If you honestly believe that our boycott could harm patients, ask yourself this question: ‘Do we care more about preventing a detrimental impact on patients everywhere, or do we care more about funding the world’s leading pro-abortion group?’” Scott said that it is Pfizer and Pfizer alone that will be responsible for answering that question and the subsequent impact it may have on the company and others. (LDI has never urged people to boycott a product that is necessary for good health when doctor-approved alternatives are unavailable.)

LDI has administered the Corporate Funding Project, which includes a boycott of corporate supporters of Planned Parenthood, for more than a dozen years. To date, 105 corporations have agreed to stop funding Planned Parenthood.