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Our statement regarding the forthcoming Otago Medical Research Foundation event:
- newzealandjma
- Jul 9
- 1 min read
July 9th 2025
To: Otago Medical Research Foundations
Subject: The Role of Medical Research Foundations in International Political Issues
Honorable Colleagues,
The New Zealand Jewish Medical Association expresses concern regarding the involvement of the Otago Medical Research Foundation in highly controversial international political issues, such as the Israel-Gaza and Israel-Iran conflicts, which fall well outside the Foundation’s core expertise in medical research.
Medical research organisations are entrusted by the public to focus on advancing health and scientific knowledge. When such institutions engage in contentious political debates unrelated to their specialisation, it risks undermining their credibility, objectivity, and the trust of the communities they serve. Leading medical and research bodies are expected to maintain institutional neutrality on divisive international matters, especially when their members and the broader public hold a range of views on these topics.
Expertise in healthcare and medical research does not automatically confer authority or insight into complex geopolitical conflicts. Specialisation is a hallmark of modern medicine, and excessive forays into unrelated fields can result in fragmented focus and a dilution of mission.
We urge the Otago Medical Research Foundation and similar organisations to prioritise their core mission supporting vital medical research rather than hosting or promoting discussions on highly polarising international issues where they lack relevant expertise. This approach will help preserve public trust, ensure scientific integrity, and prevent the politicisation of healthcare research.
Sincerely,
New Zealand Jewish Medical Association
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