Legislative representatives in the republic of India are looking into the omission of information from a government-funded study on the effects of gender-related medical procedures for minors. This investigation, as reported by National Review, facilities on issues over the politicization of technology and the clarity of taxpayer-funded study.
Cathy McMorris Rodgers ( R., Wash. ), chairwoman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, strongly condemned the withholding of study findings. Rodgers cited” this is a clear indication of the politicization of research at the expense of children.” Americans deserve access to the truth, and any research funded by taxpayer money through the National Institutes of Health ( NIH) should be made public regardless of the outcomes. The House Energy and Commerce Committee may look into the issue, she added.
Johanna Olson-Kennedy, the clinical director of Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, is the lead author of the analysis. The study, which began in 2015 and received$ 5.7 million in NIH money, examines the effects of gender-affirming treatment in children, focusing on 95 adolescents, averaging 11 years older, who were treated with puberty blockers. Over nine years, the study has reportedly received nearly$ 10 million in federal funding.
Olson-Kennedy claimed in a new interview with The New York Times that the study’s youngsters had never experienced considerable mental health improvements as a result of using puberty-blockers. Instead, she argued that the kids were already in great state prior to the treatments. This assertion conflicts with a 2020 study by the same research group, which claimed nearly a third of the population had endorsed life-time suicidal ideation due to the use of puberty blockers.
Olson-Kennedy has been withholding the total information, citing social issues. According to The New York Times, she feared that the results may be “weaponized” to help legitimate attempts to ban gender-related solutions for adolescents. She was concerned that the findings might be used in jury to refute puberty blockers.
This action was quickly condemned by Republican legislators. Morgan Griffith ( R., Va. ), chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, criticized the withholding of the data, calling it “irresponsible and inappropriate”. He emphasized that even when studies conflict with political objectives, the American government has the right to “follow the knowledge.”
Representative Diana Harshbarger ( R., Tenn. ) echoed these sentiments, calling it “outrageous” that taxpayer-funded research could be suppressed to align with a particular political viewpoint. She told National Review,” This is a glaring illustration of why NIH needs to be reformated to ensure clarity, standards of honesty, and the elimination of conflicts of interest in national taxpayer-funded scientific and medical research.”
Brett Guthrie ( R., Ky. ), chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, emphasized the need for transparency from public health institutions. He expressed anger that the study’s results were not being published, stating,” No publishing the results of taxpayer-funded studies in fear of social blowback… fundamentally undermines the very essence of scientific research”. He further demanded that the study’s funding be immediately halted until the findings are made public.
According to the NIH, Olson-Kennedy’s team received more than$ 950, 000 in government funding for 2023 alone. Robert Aderholt ( R., Ala. ) highlighted that by receiving nearly$ 10 million in taxpayer dollars, Olson-Kennedy has an obligation to provide the public with the study’s results. He accused the left of hiding scientific data that does n’t align with their agenda, adding,” When the science does n’t back up their point of view, they will gladly try to hide it”.
Olson-Kennedy, who is also the president-elect of the United States Professional Association for Transgender Health, has been a vocal advocate for gender-affirming medical treatments for minors. She co-authored research that claimed transmasculine minors and young adults had a positive effect from chest reconstruction surgery ( mastectomy ).
