Overview
- Five researchers were escorted out of the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions in New Orleans for handing out copies of a Diabetes Care editorial that warned a proposed $5 billion cut to NIH funding would threaten biomedical and diabetes research.
- Video published by MedPage Today and reported widely shows plainclothes security taking papers from attendees, a local officer grabbing a researcher and Louisiana State Police standing nearby, and one researcher had his conference badge confiscated and was warned he could be arrested if he returned.
- The ADA initially said the removals followed its conference code of conduct and the need to keep events strictly nonpartisan for tax-exempt compliance, but CEO Charles Henderson issued a public apology and committed to an independent, publicly released review and a reaffirmation of support for robust NIH funding.
- The incident provoked a strong community response that included open letters from more than 40 former ADA officers, resignations of some volunteer leaders, and petitions with thousands of signatures demanding policy changes and guarantees of free scientific discussion.
- Beyond this episode, the dispute highlights a broader question about how 501(c)(3) societies balance legal limits on partisan activity with researchers’ efforts to advocate for funding, and the review’s findings could change how scientific meetings manage advocacy, security and member speech.