Ethical funds for physicians

CMA Holdings Inc. has a policy of not investing in the tobacco industry. This is admirable and to be expected from a physician-owned corporation. I also believe that, as a matter of policy, CMA Holdings and its subsidiary MD Management Ltd. should not invest in companies that manufacture weapons.

Physicians busy with medical practice and family usually do not take the time required to learn in detail what corporations they are investing in. A physician's first responsibility is to do no harm. Investing in companies whose products' only purpose is to kill and injure people would seem to be a conflict of interest for physicians. I recently wrote to the CMA President, Colin McMillan, suggesting that it was time for MD Management to develop and promote an ethical fund for physician investment; the Saskatchewan Medical Association has made a similar request.1 I hope that my medical colleagues who agree that MD Management should not be investing in arms manufacturers will let their MD Management financial advisors, Brian Peters (President and Chief Executive Officer of CMA Holdings) and McMillan know their position on this matter.