Puberty blocker study was withheld ‘because data didn’t back trans agenda’

The US House of Representatives has launched an investigation into taxpayer-funded research on puberty blockers over concerns results have been withheld because they do not support transgender ideology.

In a letter, the legislature’s Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services said it is inspecting the National Institutes of Health’s $9.7m grant into ‘The Impact of Early Medical Treatment in Transgender Youth’, after Dr Johanna Olson-Kennedy refused to publish data from the ‘Trans Youth Care’ (TYC) study.

The pro-trans researcher admitted that she feared evidence showing puberty blockers did not improve participants’ mental health would be used by those who do not agree with the use of the drugs on gender-confused children.

Politicised

Dr Olson-Kennedy claimed the children were in “really good shape” when they began the two-year study, despite the fact that researchers previously noted that one quarter experienced depression and suicidal thoughts before they started taking puberty blockers.

an irrefutable example of politicization of scientific research to further an ideological agenda

Subcommittee Chairwoman Lisa McClain said the author’s refusal to publish taxpayer-funded research because it contradicts “her pre-existing biases” is “an irrefutable example of politicization of scientific research to further an ideological agenda”.

“Deliberately mischaracterizing and withholding the results of the TYC study has serious implications for the health and safety of children who are subjected to ‘gender affirming’ medical procedures, many of which are irreversible and hold lifelong implications despite lacking adequate scientific support for their efficacy or safety.”

Growing up

Researchers from the Dutch University Medical Center Groningen have shown that most children grow out of ‘gender non-contentedness’ with age.

The study followed 2,772 children from age eleven until 25, to assess how their feelings towards their own gender changed over time.

It concluded: “The results of the current study might help adolescents to realize that it is normal to have some doubts about one’s identity and one’s gender identity during this age period and that this is also relatively common.”

The research also found that gender confusion was more prevalent in females, suggesting this could be because “girls more often believe that being a boy would come with certain advantages than the other way around”.