ADA Ousted Scientists Over Editorial, New Details Emerge

Troubling new details have emerged regarding the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) decision to oust five scientists at its annual meeting in New Orleans on June 5. These scientists were removed for distributing copies of an editorial published in Diabetes Care, an ADA journal, which criticized the Trump administration's stance on scientific research. Following public outcry and an apology from the ADA's CEO, it appears the organization has not fully addressed the situation.

The deputy editors of Diabetes Care have now posted an editorial and seven accompanying opinion articles to a preprint server, stating the ADA refused to publish them. These newly released articles contain significant new information, including an accusation that ADA leadership was aware in advance that members would be distributing the editorial. The articles suggest the ADA leadership deliberately orchestrated an "ambush" involving venue security and local police to detain the scientists.

This alleged pre-planned action may stem from ongoing tensions related to a session organized the previous year. The deputy editors claim that ADA leadership was provided with the articles in advance of their intended publication, along with an invitation to simultaneously publish their response. This suggests a potential attempt by the ADA to control the narrative and preemptively address criticism, which ultimately led to the controversial removal of the scientists from the meeting.