STAT+: Diabetes association says ‘threat’ preceded members’ ejections, but admits policies were unclear

Since five members of the American Diabetes Association were ejected from its scientific session in New Orleans on June 5, the professional organization has released two explanations, one apology, one summary of its review of the events, and one notice of further review. Members have protested through petitions and an 1,100-member boycott. The flagship journal has stopped accepting manuscripts and grant reviews, fundraisers, and educational activities have ceased. 

On Friday, the ADA posted a news release about the long-awaited review, three days after it disclosed without explanation the departure of Rita Kalyani, its chief medical and scientific officer. 

The post offered background for the evictions, citing a “written threat that there would be protest and disruption,” but also backed off from previous explanations, noting that the “ADA’s code of conduct didn’t explicitly state that distributing materials inside the convention center was prohibited.”