cross-posted from: https://sh.itjust.works/post/33131148

Some U.S. Food and Drug Administration scientists have been told to stop using the words “woman,” “disabled” and “elderly” in external communications, two sources familiar with the matter said, part of a list of banned terms that a White House spokesman said had misinterpreted President Donald Trump’s executive order.

A list with the file name “Prohibited words” has been circulating since at least last week in official work chats, according to two FDA scientists with direct knowledge of the matter who requested anonymity for fear of professional repercussions.

“I don’t understand why we can’t use a word like ‘woman,’” one FDA source who received the list told Reuters. “The words on the list would make it almost impossible to do our jobs.”