Five scientists ejected from American Diabetes Association conference over editorial distribution
The American Diabetes Association confirmed the removal of five researchers, including Diabetes Care editor-in-chief Steven Kahn, citing code of conduct violations. The scientists allege physical force was used and have accused the organisation of censorship following the distribution of a critical editorial.
Five prominent researchers were removed from the American Diabetes Association’s annual meeting in New Orleans on Friday after distributing reprints of an editorial critical of the Trump administration’s approach to scientific research. The group included Steven Kahn, editor-in-chief of the journal Diabetes Care and professor at the University of Washington, alongside former ADA president Desmond Schatz from the University of Florida, Aaron Kelly from the University of Minnesota, Justin Ryder from Northwestern University, and Irl Hirsch, also from the University of Washington.
The incident occurred outside a session where National Institutes of Health director Jay Bhattacharya was scheduled to speak, although Bhattacharya had cancelled and another official spoke in his place. The scientists distributed copies of the editorial, published in Diabetes Care on 29 April 2026, which argued that political actions were rapidly undermining the United States’ status in health care innovation. The article included a disclaimer added by ADA leadership clarifying that the organisation had no part in developing or writing the piece.
The ADA confirmed the removals, stating that the individuals were escorted out by onsite security for behaviour inconsistent with the organisation’s code of conduct. A statement from the ADA media team indicated that the attendees were given the opportunity to cease their actions but chose not to, leading to their ejection. The code explicitly prohibits disorderly or disruptive conduct, including protesting, and mandates that all attendees maintain professional and respectful behaviour.
Conversely, the scientists alleged they were physically grabbed and forced out of the venue, with their conference lanyards confiscated. Aaron Kelly provided a statement to MedPage Today describing the physical nature of the ejection and condemning the actions as censorship. Videos posted by MedPage Today showed the scientists were not physically disruptive during the distribution of the reprints, leading some observers to question whether the act constituted a violation of the code or fell under valid scientific dissemination.
Online backlash spread rapidly on social media platforms X and BlueSky, significantly increasing page views for the editorial. Kahn has written to the ADA requesting re-admittance to the conference, as he was scheduled to speak and chair a session. The DOI for the disputed editorial is 10.2337/dci26-0068.
