Overview
- Five diabetes researchers were escorted out of the ADA Scientific Sessions on Friday after they handed out an April editorial in the ADA journal Diabetes Care that criticized proposed changes to NIH funding.
- Video widely circulated by news outlets shows security and Louisiana State Police physically removing the group, confiscating conference badges, and warning of arrest, and police later said they acted at the ADA's request.
- The ADA initially defended the expulsions by citing its conference code of conduct and IRS rules for 501(c)(3) nonprofits that require a nonpartisan environment for official events.
- Following intense backlash, a Change.org petition and letters from former ADA leaders, at least two senior ADA officials resigned and CEO Charles Henderson issued a personal apology and announced an independent review of the events.
- The episode has raised broader questions about how professional scientific societies balance nonprofit rules with members' right to criticize public policy, and it could affect future advocacy, governance reforms, and trust among researchers.