American Diabetes Association (ADA) CEO Charles Henderson issued a formal apology on June 26, 2024, following the removal of five prominent diabetes researchers from the organization’s 84th Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Florida. The researchers were escorted from the conference by security on June 22 after distributing an editorial that criticized federal policies regarding biomedical research.
Why were the scientists removed from the conference?
The five researchers—Steven Kahn, Desmond Schatz, Aaron Kelly, Justin Ryder, and Irl Hirsch—were ejected for handing out copies of an editorial they co-authored in the journal Diabetes Care. According to the American Diabetes Association, the organization’s code of conduct prohibits unauthorized distribution of materials at the annual meeting. The editorial, titled "The Need for a Robust and Sustained Investment in Biomedical Research," criticized the Trump administration’s historical approach to research funding and oversight. While the ADA initially defended the removal as a standard enforcement of conference policy, the incident drew immediate backlash from the scientific community regarding the suppression of academic discourse.
What was the ADA’s initial response?
In the days immediately following the June 22 incident, the ADA maintained that the researchers violated the meeting’s established code of conduct. A spokesperson for the organization told MedPage Today that the attendees were removed by onsite security because their actions were "not consistent with this code of conduct." This explanation faced criticism from researchers who argued that the editorial was peer-reviewed material published within the ADA’s own journal, making the expulsion an act of censorship rather than a neutral enforcement of event rules.
How did the CEO address the controversy?
On June 26, CEO Charles Henderson released a video statement expressing regret for the handling of the situation. Henderson stated that the events of that weekend did not reflect his personal values or the mission of the association.
"What transpired is not reflective of who I am, the values I hold, or the way I was raised," Henderson said in the video. He committed to reconciling with the researchers and the broader diabetes community to focus on the organization’s primary goal of advancing diabetes care and research.
Context of the incident
The removal occurred during the opening day of the conference, which featured a high-profile appearance by senior National Institutes of Health (NIH) official Rick Woychik. Woychik replaced Jay Bhattacharya, the former head of the NIH under the Trump administration, who canceled his scheduled appearance at the last minute.
Key Takeaways
- The Incident: Five researchers were removed from the ADA scientific sessions for distributing an editorial critical of federal biomedical research policy.
- The Researchers: The group included the editor-in-chief of Diabetes Care, Steven Kahn, and former ADA President Desmond Schatz.
- The Apology: ADA CEO Charles Henderson publicly apologized on June 26, distancing the organization from the initial decision to eject the scientists.
- The Policy: The ADA cited its code of conduct regarding unauthorized material distribution, while critics highlighted the contradiction of suppressing content published in the organization’s own peer-reviewed journal.
Future implications for scientific discourse
This event has prompted a broader discussion regarding the role of professional medical associations in protecting academic freedom. Historically, conferences serve as venues for the exchange of dissenting scientific and policy views. By ejecting researchers for distributing a peer-reviewed editorial, the ADA created a tension between its administrative policies and the open inquiry expected in medical research circles. The organization now faces the task of rebuilding trust with its members and clarifying how it will balance conference security with the necessity of intellectual debate at future events.
