Senate Republicans Demand NIH Release Findings of Unpublished Puberty Blockers Study

Lawmakers question transparency after researcher withholds data, citing concerns over potential misuse in political debates.

Six Republican senators have sent a letter to NIH Director Monica Bertagnolli requesting all progress reports from a federally funded study on puberty blockers for transgender youth.
The study, led by Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy and funded by a $9.7 million NIH grant since 2015, remains unpublished, with the researcher citing fears of the findings being misused in political arguments.
Preliminary findings reportedly show that puberty blockers did not improve the mental health of participants, though some experts argue the cohort's initial well-being may have influenced results.
The senators, most of whom have supported legislation restricting gender-affirming care for minors, claim the data is being withheld due to political bias and demand greater transparency in taxpayer-funded research.
The inquiry follows similar debates in the UK, where a review led to stricter regulations on puberty blockers, and ongoing U.S. legal battles over access to gender-affirming care for minors.