Several Alabama Republicans are demanding the National Institute of Health (NIH) release the full details of a $10 million study on the effects of puberty blockers on minors.

U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) penned a letter asking for answers after the leader of the multi-million-dollar project refused to release the findings.

According to a report from the New York Times, Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy, the director of the Center for Transyouth Health and Development at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, led a "multimillion-dollar federal project" with funds from the NIH. The study was meant to study the effects puberty blockers had on transgender minors who take the drugs to halt the natural process of puberty for the purposes of medically transitioning.

The Times reported that Olson-Kennedy intentionally withheld some of the results because she "was concerned the study's results could be used in court to argue that 'we shouldn't use blockers'" on minors. According to the report, Olson-Kennedy's study found that puberty blockers did not lead to mental health improvements among 95 children, ages 8 to 16.

The project received nearly $10 million in federal NIH funding since 2015, and some of Alabama's federal lawmakers are demanding the full results be released to the public. U.S. Reps. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville), Jerry Carl (R-Mobile), Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) and Mike Rogers (R-Saks) are Alabama's members of Congress to join the letter.

In the letter addressed to Olson-Kennedy and NIH Director Monica M. Bertagnolli, the congressmen suggest the study's details could prove valuable to the upcoming Supreme Court case, where the courts will decide the Constitutionality of state laws banning puberty blockers and other transgender medicines in minors.

Palmer Letter by Craig Monger on Scribd

"It would be very concerning if the reporting by the Times is true," The letter reads. "For one, as Dr. Olson-Kennedy alluded to, the Supreme Court is set to hear oral argument this December in a case concerning a state law that prohibits the administration of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to minors for the purpose of gender transition. In asking the Supreme Court to take the case, the United States assured the Court that 'overwhelming evidence establishes that appropriate gender-affirming treatment with puberty blockers … directly and substantially improves the physical and psychological well-being of transgender adolescents with gender dysphoria.' If government officials knew that statement was not true—or thought it was true only because Dr. Olson-Kennedy and her team intentionally delayed publishing the results of their government-funded study—that evidence should come to light."

"Even more concerning, Dr. Olson-Kennedy's actions evince [evidence] a concerning disregard for the wellbeing of the children she is supposed to be helping. Just last year, Dr. Olson-Kennedy and her team published a study revealing a remarkably high rate of suicide among the cohort of adolescents that received cross-sex hormones as part of the same NIH-funded study led by Dr. Olson-Kennedy."

Accordingly, the letter demands the following information about the study:

  • All progress reports and other communications in the possession of NIH regarding the Trans Youth Care study led by Dr. Olson-Kennedy.

  • All documents and communications in the possession of NIH regarding findings or results, preliminary or otherwise, of the Trans Youth Care study on puberty blockers.

  • All documents and communications in the possession of NIH regarding publication of the Trans Youth Care study's findings regarding puberty blockers.

  • All documents and communications in the possession of NIH regarding suicide or suicidal ideation by patients participating in the Trans Youth Care study.

  • All documents and communications in the possession of NIH regarding litigation concerning state laws limiting access to puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones for gender dysphoric minors.

  • All documents and communications in the possession of Dr. Olson-Kennedy regarding findings or results, preliminary or otherwise, of the Trans Youth Care study on puberty blockers.

  • All documents and communications in the possession of Dr. Olson-Kennedy regarding publication of the Trans Youth Care study's findings regarding puberty blockers.

To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.

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