The medical community is in a state of disarray as questions arise over the concealment of data from a nearly decade-long study on gender-based medical interventions for children.
The study, backed by the National Institutes of Health, has been shrouded in controversy due to the unexpected findings and the subsequent actions of the study's lead, Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy.
According to The New York Post, Olson-Kennedy confessed in a recent interview with The New York Times that the study's results did not align with her initial hypothesis. She had hoped to demonstrate that puberty blockers and similar treatments enhance the mental health of children. However, the data collected contradicted this belief. "I do not want our work to be weaponized," Olson-Kennedy stated, expressing her concern that the study's findings could influence the scientific and political discourse surrounding transgender children.
Olson-Kennedy, a fervent proponent of the "hormones first, questions later" approach, has been at the forefront of legal battles to prevent states from limiting these treatments to adults. Her position at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where she oversees the "transyouth" clinic, amplifies her influence in this field. However, the discovery of data that challenges her core beliefthat children should be administered these life-altering medicines early and frequentlyhas led to a questionable decision: to indefinitely withhold the results and openly boast about it to The Times.
This disregard for the scientific process and the welfare of children and families raises serious ethical concerns. Olson-Kennedy's actions seem to prioritize power and control over the pursuit of truth on a complex subject. Her position of authority in the medical field, combined with her blatant disregard for ethical standards, is deeply troubling.
Adding to the controversy is the fact that the study was funded by nearly $10 million in taxpayer money, which further underscores Olson-Kennedy's obligation to publish the data transparently. This is not the first instance of such obfuscation. A 2016 British study also found that these interventions did not improve children's mental health, but these findings were not disclosed until 2020, after the treatments had become standard practice.
The interview with The Times also hinted at potential deception on Olson-Kennedy's part. Her preliminary findings reportedly indicated that about 25% of the children involved in the study were grappling with mental health issues. However, she now claims, without clear explanation, that this is not the case.
Regardless of the outcome for Olson-Kennedy, this situation serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of ideological blindness in the scientific community. Genuine scientists welcome the truth, even when it challenges their hypotheses. It is hoped that the truth will liberate the families who may have been misled by individuals like Olson-Kennedy.
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