Chicago – April 11, 2025
The Trump administration has instructed the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study the physical and mental health effects of gender transition. This order was revealed in an internal memo from acting NIH Director Mark Memoli, which was shared with NPR by two NIH employees who wished to remain anonymous for fear of backlash.
The memo says the NIH must examine the effects of “social transition and/or chemical and surgical mutilation” for children who transition. Specifically, the White House wants the NIH to focus on studying “regret” and “detransition” in both children and adults who have gone through the process. The NIH now has to decide how to carry out the study, how to fund it, and who will do the research.
This new directive is raising concerns among many researchers and people in the LGBTQ+ community. While many are worried, they are not surprised by the move, considering the statements President Trump made during his campaign and actions taken by his administration since taking office.
