A federal grant awarded to Southern University for researching sustainable feminine hygiene products was abruptly canceled due to misinformation surrounding the project. The grant, titled Project Farm to Feminine Hygiene, aimed to explore alternatives to synthetic menstrual products using natural fibers like regenerative cotton. Additionally, the project included educational outreach for women and girls and plans to establish a local fiber-processing facility.
Despite the project’s focus on feminine hygiene, the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) falsely portrayed it as a study on “menstrual cycles in transgender men,” leading to the grant’s revocation. This misrepresentation sparked safety concerns for the lead researcher, Samii Kennedy Benson, and prompted backlash from the scientific and farming communities.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins incorrectly framed the project as transgender menstruation, leading to the funding being revoked. However, Southern University clarified that the research did not involve studying menstrual cycles. Sharon Donnan, founder of Acadian Brown Cotton, expressed frustration over the misinformation, emphasizing the missed opportunity the cancellation represented.
Doge, led by Elon Musk, has been criticized for its cost-cutting initiatives that often target programs based on distorted or false narratives. The incident involving the grant to Southern University is part of a broader pattern of spreading misinformation about federal programs, fueling online outrage and impacting the lives of researchers and communities involved.
The canceled grant not only affected the research on sustainable feminine hygiene products but also hindered efforts to support local cotton growers in Louisiana, particularly impacting historically marginalized communities. Norris Green Jr., a Black farmer involved in the project, highlighted the importance of federal officials understanding the real-world implications of their decisions.
The misinformation surrounding the grant reflects a larger issue with Doge’s agenda, which has been under scrutiny for spreading falsehoods about various programs. Despite mounting criticism, the department continues to promote dubious narratives, contributing to public confusion and misinformation.
The Biden administration has not commented on the specific cancellation, and the lead researcher, Samii Kennedy Benson, has not responded to interview requests. The incident serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of misinformation and the need for responsible communication in government initiatives.
Overall, the false branding of feminine hygiene research as a transgender study and the subsequent cancellation of the grant underscore the importance of accurate information dissemination and the impact of misinformation on vital research projects and the communities they aim to benefit.
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