The Nationwide Institutes of Health’s prime professional on ultraprocessed meals resigned Wednesday, saying in a public letter that he was doing so after NIH leaders censored the findings of a examine that didn’t help their very own preconceived narratives.
“After 21 years at my dream job, I’m very sad to announce my early retirement from the National Institutes of Health,” wrote Dr. Kevin Corridor in a letter printed on social media.
“Unfortunately, recent events have made me question whether NIH continues to be a place where I can freely conduct unbiased science.”
Corridor stated he was initially optimistic that new management on the company, now beneath the management of Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., would prioritize analysis into ultraprocessed meals and the way their consumption impacts our well being.
Kennedy has lengthy maligned ultraprocessed meals, blaming them for all kinds of bodily and psychological well being points, from diabetes to varied cancers to autoimmune issues.
However when a brand new examine, the biggest of its variety, steered ultraprocessed meals aren’t as addictive as addictive medication ― or a minimum of aren’t addictive in the identical manner ― Corridor says prime aides for Kennedy stopped him from publicly discussing it.
Corridor co-authored the examine, which was printed March 4 in Cell Metabolism, a science journal.
He instructed CBS he was blocked from presenting the analysis at a convention and was instructed to both settle for official edits on a manuscript or to take away himself as a co-author.
AP Photograph/Mark Schiefelbein
Corridor additionally stated that the Division of Health and Human Companies barred him from collaborating in an interview with The New York Occasions to debate the findings. He stated that when he provided written solutions to the reporter’s questions as a substitute, his responses had been edited and submitted with out his approval.
HHS denied that declare in an emailed assertion and stated the company stays “committed to promoting gold-standard research and advancing public health priorities.”
“It’s disappointing that this individual is fabricating false claims,” an HHS spokesperson instructed HuffPost. “NIH scientists have, and will, continue to conduct interviews regarding their research through written responses or other means.”
Corridor responded by writing a letter to Kennedy and incoming NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya in regards to the alleged censorship, noting on the identical time that the Trump administration’s unanticipated funding freezes prevented researchers from acquiring fundamental analysis provides and even buying meals for examine members.
The letter went unanswered, resulting in Corridor’s resignation on Wednesday.
“Without any reassurance there wouldn’t be continued censorship or meddling in our research, I felt compelled to accept early retirement to preserve health insurance for my family,” he stated, expressing hope to in the future return to authorities service.
“The NIH has been a wonderful place because it allows scientists to take risks, form unique collaborations, and do studies difficult to conduct elsewhere. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and I’m fortunate to have had such wonderful colleagues and scientific collaborators.”
