A $50 million pledge to “revolutionise endometriosis research” by the Ainsworth family, known for their ties to the poker machine industry, has sparked a heated debate among academics and public health experts. While some argue that universities should distance themselves from gambling-related funding, others emphasize the urgent need to address the suffering of approximately one million Australian women affected by endometriosis.
The University of New South Wales (UNSW) announced in May that it had secured a 10-year funding commitment from the Ainsworth family to establish the Ainsworth Endometriosis Research Institute, touted as a “world-first” initiative aimed at accelerating breakthroughs in diagnosis and developing precision-based treatments. This initiative has been met with both praise and concern, highlighting the ethical complexities of accepting donations from industries associated with public harm.
Background of the Ainsworth Family and Their Contribution
Three generations of the Ainsworth family have supported the establishment of the institute, including Len Ainsworth, who founded Aristocrat Leisure, the world’s largest poker machine manufacturer, in 1958. He also founded Ainsworth Game Technology, another poker machine manufacturer. The family’s philanthropic efforts have been instrumental in various UNSW initiatives, including cancer research scholarships and engineering facilities.
Despite these contributions, the association with the gambling industry raises ethical concerns. In the first quarter of this year, residents of New South Wales lost an average of $24 million daily to the state’s nearly 90,000 poker machines, underscoring the societal impact of gambling.
Expert Opinions: Ethical Dilemma or Necessary Support?
Andrew Hayen, a professor of biostatistics at the University of Technology Sydney, acknowledges the critical need for investment in women’s health but questions the ethics of accepting funds from gambling-related sources. He stated,
“Poker machines are a key driver of gambling addiction, financial distress, family violence, and mental ill health. These harms are not abstract. They are experienced every day by individuals and families, many of them women.”
Conversely, Akeel Feroz, a manager of partnerships and innovation at UNSW Canberra, argues that the immediate needs of patients should take precedence.
“The women waiting years for diagnosis don’t have the luxury of perfect funding sources, they need solutions now,”
he said, emphasizing the potential positive impact of the funding with proper research safeguards in place.
Implications for Academic and Research Funding
The debate over the Ainsworth family’s donation highlights broader issues within academic and research funding in Australia. Poppy Watson from the University of Technology Sydney pointed out that declining government support has made philanthropic investments increasingly vital for sustaining scientific research.
“Sadly, with the current funding decline for science in Australia, all universities and the government see philanthropic investment as the best possible way to continue funding scientific research,”
Watson remarked.
Kate Da Costa, leading Wesley Mission’s gambling advocacy, expressed her organization’s refusal to accept donations linked to poker machines, citing a conflict with their campaign to minimize gambling harm. However, she acknowledged the importance of ongoing conversations about the ethics of such funding.
Future Prospects and Ethical Considerations
The UNSW spokesperson confirmed that the university accepted the Ainsworth family’s support in “good faith,” with the expectation that it would positively impact the institution.
“All donations are assessed per the UNSW gift acceptance policy, which considers reputational, ethical, and legal factors,”
they stated.
As the newly created Grevillea Foundation, with four Ainsworth family members as directors, seeks to transform the lives of those affected by endometriosis, the ethical debate surrounding their contribution continues. With approximately one million Australian women living with endometriosis and facing delays in diagnosis, the urgency for research and treatment solutions remains paramount.
As the conversation around ethical funding evolves, universities and public health advocates must navigate these complex issues to balance immediate needs with long-term ethical considerations.
