The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is facing renewed turmoil as its leaders have prevented editors at its main journal from publishing an opinion piece and personal narratives about a recent, highly publicized controversy at the association’s annual meeting.
Nearly five weeks ago, five diabetes specialists were removed from a New Orleans convention center for distributing copies of an editorial that voiced concerns about reductions in federal research funding. The ADA’s flagship journal, Diabetes Care, was set to publish an editorial and several accounts of the incident, which attracted national attention and led the ADA to apologize for the evictions and promise a formal review. However, the organization has postponed publication until the review is concluded, despite disagreements on how the review is being conducted.
The editorial and personal narratives, which were ultimately not published, are now accessible on an open-access website. The diabetes specialists who were expelled in early June describe their experiences in these accounts. Prominent ADA members, including past leaders and one individual who resigned following the incident, also express dissatisfaction with how the situation was managed both initially and subsequently. They all criticize the decision to suppress opinions opposing the policies of the Trump administration and express disagreement with the ADA leadership’s handling of the incident and its aftermath.
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