Doctors removed from diabetes conference face internal investigation

Five senior diabetes specialists who were removed from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions after distributing an editorial critical of the US administration’s biomedical research policies are now facing internal investigations at the organisation.

The doctors were escorted from the conference in New Orleans in June after handing out printed copies of an editorial published in Diabetes Care, the ADA’s own peer-reviewed journal. The editorial criticised changes to US biomedical research policy under President Donald Trump, including proposed reductions in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). No arrests were made, but the doctors had their conference credentials revoked and were prevented from returning to the meeting.

The incident prompted widespread criticism from researchers and clinicians, with many arguing that the removal of the doctors represented an unnecessary restriction on scientific debate. In response to the backlash, the ADA later issued a public apology and announced an independent review into the events surrounding the conference.

According to STAT, the controversy has continued, with the organisation delaying publication of editorials and first-person accounts about the incident in its flagship journal while its review remains ongoing. The report states that the five doctors are also subject to an internal review by the ADA following their removal from the conference.

The ADA has said the original decision to remove the doctors was based on its conference Code of Conduct, which it said is intended to ensure meetings remain safe, productive and focused on advancing diabetes science. However, the organisation has acknowledged the impact of the incident on those involved and has committed to reviewing its policies and procedures.

The episode has sparked wider debate within the medical research community about academic freedom, professional conduct at scientific meetings and how medical organisations should balance codes of conduct with open scientific discussion.

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