Mobile Courant

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, alongside other Republican senators, has called for clarity from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) following reports that an NIH-funded researcher did not disclose findings related to the use of puberty blockers in children with gender dysphoria. The senators expressed concern over data indicating that these treatments do not enhance mental health in affected children.

"The events in England serve as a warning about the dangers of researchers withholding their findings for political or ideological reasons," stated the senators. They emphasized opposition to taxpayer funding for gender transition interventions in minors and highlighted concerns about minors' capacity to understand long-term consequences.

Senators Ted Cruz, James Lankford, Markwayne Mullin, and Mike Lee joined Tuberville and Bill Cassidy in signing a letter seeking more transparency. They referenced previous communications with NIH regarding an observational study on hormone treatments where two young participants died by suicide.

Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy, involved in the study, was reported by The New York Times as having delayed publishing results due to inconclusive data on mental health improvements from puberty blockers. Olson-Kennedy noted fears that her work could be misused legally against such treatments.

The NIH-funded study aimed to validate earlier research from the Netherlands suggesting psychological benefits from puberty blockers. However, similar studies in the UK found no changes in children's well-being. These findings prompted policy changes within England's National Health Service regarding treatment standards.

Cassidy’s white paper on modernizing NIH stressed improved data access among scientists for quality biomedical research. The senators urged NIH to provide annual progress reports on "The Impact of Early Medical Treatment in Transgender Youth" by December 19, 2024.

In 2015, NIH allocated $5.7 million for this study observing outcomes from hormone use and puberty blockers among youth. Recent disclosures indicate withheld data showed no mental health improvement post-treatment among younger participants.

The UK’s Cass Review Final Report labeled evidence on puberty blocker safety as "weak," questioning their efficacy on childhood mental health during gender transitioning processes.

Senator Tommy Tuberville serves Alabama and is part of several Senate committees including Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs.