SEC FORCES MERCK TO REVEAL USE OF ABORTED FETAL CELL LINES IN VACCINES

March 27, 2003 - 12:00 PST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Washington, DC) Pro-life organizations, Children of God for Life and Human Life International announced today that Merck & Co. has publicized the use of aborted fetal cell lines in their vaccines to shareholders. What they failed to tell stockholders is that there is:
· An organized boycott of all Merck products
· A resolution by the Catholic Medical Association to use alternatives to their vaccines cultivated on aborted fetal tissue and
· Instruction by investment counseling organization, Pro Vita Advisors, that investors divest their Merck stock.

Human Life International, President Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer, who purchased sufficient shares of Merck stock, demanded fellow shareholders be informed that Merck has violated its own Statement on Values, which states in part, " We are committed to the highest standards of ethics and integrity."

Merck tried desperately to keep the entire resolution from becoming public, stating that the use of aborted fetal cell lines falls under "ordinary business" and therefore should be excluded from the proxy vote mailed this week. While the SEC disagreed and allowed the information to be included, Merck's attorneys were able to successfully remove most of the critical language.

"What they have done is deny their stockholders the right to vote on the true language of the resolution", stated Children of God for Life's Executive Director Debi Vinnedge, who has organized the boycott and the Campaign for Ethical Vaccines with over 475,000 signatures.

Rev Euteneuer agreed. "Watch for your proxy cards in the mail and if their practice of using aborted fetal cell lines offends you, vote in favor of Resolution 7., to appoint a special committee linking executive compensation with the Company's ethical performance."

"What went in and what came out on that resolution are quite different", said Vinnedge. "While we are pleased that the SEC agreed to provide stockholders with the information that aborted fetal cell lines are used in Merck's vaccines, we also believe they should be aware of boycotts, investment warnings and the resolution by the Catholic Medical Association to use alternatives. In effect, such actions by several organizations and parents to boycott all Merck products and use alternatives may eventually decrease their sales numbers and devalue the stock."

Both organizations hope to attain 3% of the shareholder public vote to bring about a change in Merck's unethical practices.

To review the Merck Proxy statement being mailed to shareholders for consideration at the upcoming meeting, go to: http://www.merck.com/finance/proxy/pr2003/proposal_4.html
To read the unabridged version of this press release and the original language of the resolution as submitted by Human Life International go to: http://www.cogforlife.org/merckpress.htm

Contact

Children of God for Life
http://www.cogforlife.org/merckpress.htm
FL, US
Debi Vinnedge - Exec. Director, 727 538-5558

Keywords

vaccines

Category

Pro-life Resources

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