CDC Orders Retraction of Research Papers and Removes Website Content Amid New Language Restrictions

The CDC has instructed its scientists to retract or pause the publication of research manuscripts being considered by any medical or scientific journal13.

This move aims to ensure that no "forbidden terms" related to gender identity and LGBTQ issues appear in the work13.

Several pages on the CDC website, including those related to LGBTQ health and HIV, have been taken offline3.

The changes are linked to an executive order issued by the Trump administration, recognizing only an individual's "immutable biological classification" as male or female3.

The CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) has not been issued for the past two weeks, marking the first publication gap in approximately 60 years13.

Health organizations, including the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the HIV Medicine Association, have expressed concern over the removal of critical health information3.

The policy affects manuscripts in various stages, including those under consideration, in revision, and accepted but not yet published13.

The CDC website now displays a note stating that it is being modified to comply with President Trump's Executive Orders3.

The changes have sparked confusion and dismay among researchers, healthcare professionals, and the public health community3.

Sources:

1. https://www.infodocket.com/2025/02/02/report-cdc-researchers-ordered-to-retract-papers-submitted-to-all-journals/

3. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/public-health/removal-pages-cdc-website-brings-confusion-dismay