Palmer Demands Answers from NIH on Taxpayer Funded Study

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Hope Dawson(202) 225-4921

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representative Gary Palmer (AL-06)sent a letter to the National Institute of Health (NIH) requesting the release of information demonstrating puberty blockers are harmful to minors. The information requested would be critical in a case before the United States Supreme Court, U.S. v. Skrmetti, where Alabama and Tennessee have substantial interest in the outcome. The issue before the Court is whether states can act to protect children by prohibiting things like sex-transition surgeries for minors.

"Under no circumstances should taxpayers fund a study and then be denied access to the results," said Rep. Palmer."The NIH should be not allowed to cover up critical research because of political concerns, especially when the health and safety of our children are involved. If professors or other organizations desire to conceal information from the research and studies they conduct, they must not seek government funding for their projects."

The letter is co-signed by Reps. Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Jerry Carl (AL-01), Barry Moore (AL-02), Mike Rogers (AL-03), Dale Strong (AL-05), Andy Ogles (TN-05), Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), Scott DesJarlais (TN-04), and David Kustoff (TN-08).

Read the full letter here.

BACKGROUND

The New York Times recently reported that Doctor Johanna Olson-Kennedy, after conducting an extensive study on puberty blockers, funded by NIH, has refused to release the results of the study because the results might be politically charged. The study might show that puberty blockers are more harmful instead of helpful to minors. Thus far, according to the Times, Dr. Olson-Kennedy has received close to $10 million in NIH support.