Diabetes org apologizes for ejecting scientists over criticism of Trump

American Diabetes Association CEO Charles Henderson apologized to five leading diabetes scientists. They were ejected from the association's annual meeting in New Orleans for handing out an editorial criticizing the Trump administration's damage to biomedical research. The incident occurred on Friday, with police reportedly escorting the scientists out of the conference and taking their badges. The scientists, including Steven Kahn and Desmond Schatz, were distributing the editorial outside the conference's opening speech, which was originally scheduled to be given by Jay Bhattacharya, head of the National Institutes of Health under Trump.

The editorial, published in the ADA's own journal Diabetes Care, sharply criticizes the Trump administration for its impact on biomedical research. The scientists were removed from the conference within minutes of beginning to hand out the editorial, with police reportedly shoving at least one scientist and threatening to arrest them if they tried to return. The ADA subsequently barred the five scientists from the rest of the conference, sparking intense backlash from the diabetes research community.

In the days following the incident, the ADA doubled down on its decision, with a media team telling MedPage Today that the scientists were escorted out because they demonstrated behavior not consistent with the conference's code of conduct. However, in an email to ADA members, the association said the scientists were removed because they didn't have prior approval to distribute material at the conference, and that it was not because of the viewpoints expressed in those materials. The ADA also cited federal regulations for 501(c)(3) nonprofits, which require maintaining a strictly nonpartisan environment at all organizational events and functions.

However, the federal regulations do not restrict leaders of organizations from sharing political views in a personal capacity or from speaking on important public policy issues. The ADA's justifications for the decision were widely criticized as unpersuasive and fatuous nonsense. Several ADA leaders have resigned amid the backlash, with a fiery letter signed by more than 40 ADA officials blasting the decision as outrageous and demanding an immediate and unconditional public apology, as well as a review of the incident.

The incident has sparked a wider debate about the role of politics in scientific research and the importance of free speech in academic settings. The ADA's decision to eject the scientists has been seen as an attempt to suppress criticism of the Trump administration and its policies. The incident has also highlighted the challenges faced by scientists and researchers in speaking out on important public policy issues, particularly when those issues are politically charged.

In his apology, Henderson acknowledged that the decision to eject the scientists was not reflective of the values of the ADA or the wider diabetes research community. He pledged to work hard to bring the community back together and to build on the progress that has been made in the fight against diabetes. However, the incident has already had significant consequences, with several ADA leaders resigning and a loss of trust among the diabetes research community.

The implications of the incident are far-reaching, with potential consequences for the future of biomedical research and the ability of scientists to speak out on important public policy issues. The incident has also highlighted the importance of free speech and academic freedom in scientific research, and the need for organizations like the ADA to protect and promote these values. As the diabetes research community moves forward, it will be important to learn from this incident and to ensure that the values of free speech and academic freedom are upheld.

In the aftermath of the incident, the ADA has faced intense criticism and backlash from the diabetes research community. The organization's decision to eject the scientists has been widely condemned, with many seeing it as an attempt to suppress criticism of the Trump administration. The incident has also highlighted the challenges faced by scientists and researchers in speaking out on important public policy issues, particularly when those issues are politically charged.

The ADA's apology is a significant step towards healing the wounds of the incident, but it is only the first step. The organization must now work to rebuild trust with the diabetes research community and to ensure that the values of free speech and academic freedom are upheld. This will require a commitment to transparency and accountability, as well as a willingness to listen to and engage with critics. Only by taking these steps can the ADA hope to restore its reputation and to move forward in a positive direction.

Ultimately, the incident highlights the importance of free speech and academic freedom in scientific research. It also highlights the challenges faced by scientists and researchers in speaking out on important public policy issues, particularly when those issues are politically charged. As the diabetes research community moves forward, it will be important to learn from this incident and to ensure that the values of free speech and academic freedom are upheld. By doing so, we can promote a culture of openness, transparency, and accountability, and ensure that scientific research is able to flourish and make progress in the fight against diabetes.