Trump Administration Directs NIH to Prioritize Trans ‘Regret’ and ‘Detransition’ Research

The Trump administration has ordered the National Institutes of Health to study the physical and mental health effects of undergoing gender transition, according to an internal NIH memo obtained by NPR. The directive was shared with NPR by two current NIH staffers who did not want to be identified for fear of retribution. It is from acting NIH Director Mark Memoli, and says the NIH must study the impact of "social transition and/or chemical and surgical mutilation" among children who transition. Specifically, the White House wants the NIH to study "regret" and "detransition" among children and adults who have transitioned.

The Trump administration has directed the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) to begin a research initiative to study “regret” among individuals who undergo so-called gender-transition treatments. In March, the White House canceled multiple NIH grants involving gender identity along with diversity, equity and inclusion. Now, the administration is ordering the NIH to resume some transgender research but with the goal of examining the potential negative consequences the hormonal and surgical treatments can have.

President Donald Trump has directed the NIH to study 'regret' after transgender people transition, as he continues to clamp down on 'wokeness' in government agencies. Several NIH staff members who spoke under the condition of anonymity, confirmed the directive to Nature. Two weeks ago, Matthew Memoli, who was acting NIH director at the time, sent an email that was obtained by Nature. It outlined two areas of research the Trump administration wants to fund concerning the transgender experience.

The Trump administration has ordered the National Institutes of Health to study the physical and mental health effects of undergoing gender transition, including regret. The research comes at a time when the administration has cut hundreds of grants for research into health issues affecting the LGBTQ community.

After cancelling nearly all NIH projects studying transgender health, Trump’s team instructs the US biomedical agency to study negative consequences of transitioning.