Defend Academic Freedom at Texas Tech — Reinstate the OBGYN Medical Talk
Defend Academic Freedom at Texas Tech — Reinstate the OBGYN Medical Talk
The Issue
Medical education should be guided by science, ethics, and open inquiry — not political pressure.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center recently canceled a scheduled talk by OB-GYN Dr. Shelley Sella, who was invited to speak about the medical and ethical considerations surrounding abortion later in pregnancy. The event, organized by the Texas Tech chapter of Medical Students for Choice, was intended as an educational discussion for future physicians.
University leaders stated only that hosting the event was “not in the best interest of the university.” The cancellation followed public objections from anti-abortion activists who argued that the discussion would promote illegal activity — a claim disputed by reproductive health advocates and inconsistent with Texas law, which does not prohibit medical education or discussion about abortion care.
Regardless of where Texans stand on abortion policy, medical students must be prepared to navigate complex, real-world medical situations. Texas law allows physicians to act in medical emergencies to protect a patient’s life or prevent serious impairment. Ethical discussions about pregnancy complications, maternal health, and difficult medical decisions are a fundamental part of OB-GYN training.
When universities cancel lawful academic events because of outside political pressure, it undermines the integrity of medical education and raises serious concerns about academic freedom.
Texas Tech’s medical students deserve access to comprehensive, evidence-based discussions that prepare them to care for patients responsibly and ethically. Shielding students from controversial topics does not protect them — it leaves them less prepared.
We call on Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center leadership and the Texas Tech University Board of Regents to reinstate this medical talk and affirm their commitment to academic freedom, open dialogue, and rigorous medical training.
Public universities exist to educate, not to censor.
Sign this petition to defend academic freedom at Texas Tech and demand that this educational event be reinstated.
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The Issue
Medical education should be guided by science, ethics, and open inquiry — not political pressure.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center recently canceled a scheduled talk by OB-GYN Dr. Shelley Sella, who was invited to speak about the medical and ethical considerations surrounding abortion later in pregnancy. The event, organized by the Texas Tech chapter of Medical Students for Choice, was intended as an educational discussion for future physicians.
University leaders stated only that hosting the event was “not in the best interest of the university.” The cancellation followed public objections from anti-abortion activists who argued that the discussion would promote illegal activity — a claim disputed by reproductive health advocates and inconsistent with Texas law, which does not prohibit medical education or discussion about abortion care.
Regardless of where Texans stand on abortion policy, medical students must be prepared to navigate complex, real-world medical situations. Texas law allows physicians to act in medical emergencies to protect a patient’s life or prevent serious impairment. Ethical discussions about pregnancy complications, maternal health, and difficult medical decisions are a fundamental part of OB-GYN training.
When universities cancel lawful academic events because of outside political pressure, it undermines the integrity of medical education and raises serious concerns about academic freedom.
Texas Tech’s medical students deserve access to comprehensive, evidence-based discussions that prepare them to care for patients responsibly and ethically. Shielding students from controversial topics does not protect them — it leaves them less prepared.
We call on Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center leadership and the Texas Tech University Board of Regents to reinstate this medical talk and affirm their commitment to academic freedom, open dialogue, and rigorous medical training.
Public universities exist to educate, not to censor.
Sign this petition to defend academic freedom at Texas Tech and demand that this educational event be reinstated.
42
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Petition created on February 18, 2026