Researchers Escorted from Diabetes Conference for Distributing Critical Editorial

Several diabetes experts were removed from an influential medical conference by police. This incident occurred on a Friday morning during the American Diabetes Association meeting held in New Orleans. These experts had distributed an editorial that criticized the Trump administration’s impact on scientific research for diabetes.

The confrontation happened just before Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, the National Institutes of Health director, was scheduled to speak. An organizer announced a senior adviser would replace Dr. Bhattacharya for the session, citing the unfolding situation.

Aaron Kelly, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Minnesota, stated that the researchers handed out copies of the editorial published in the association’s journal Diabetes Care. This piece detailed effects of N.I.H. budget cuts and Trump’s actions on diabetes research and outcomes. Security staff then intervened, asking the researchers to step outside and attempted to confiscate the editorial papers.

A video report by MedPage Today captured the tense encounter. It showed a man in uniform physically engaging with one of the experts. Although the researchers re-entered the convention center through another entrance, security and police officers confronted them again.

“They were clearly attempting to intimidate us,” remarked Dr. Kelly. According to Justin Ryder, a pediatric obesity researcher at Northwestern Medicine, the police warned them of arrest for trespassing should they return to the premises. Ryder further noted that their event badges were confiscated and they were instructed not to return to the convention center.

A representative from the Louisiana State Police confirmed that the event organizers requested police assistance to remove certain individuals. This matter underscores tensions faced by researchers critical of governmental policies.