ADA internal review rejects censorship claims after 5 members ejected from conference

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Almost three months after five members of the American Diabetes Association were ejected from the group’s scientific sessions in New Orleans for handing out an editorial criticizing federal funding cuts, an internal review has rejected claims of silencing protest and involving local police.

The findings from a five-person committee selected by ADA were described in a press release issued Tuesday evening. The review is being sent to the ADA board for action, STAT has learned, but it appears unlikely to quiet controversy that has persisted since June 5.

The review dismissed suggestions that the organization acted in reaction to the substance of an April 29 commentary, published in its Diabetes Care journal, and distributed outside the hall where the National Institutes of Health director was scheduled to speak. Instead, it concluded that the action was spurred by behavior of people handing out the document — saying they violated a code of conduct for conference attendees that prohibits distribution of printed materials in certain areas.

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