The call came at a Washington conference sponsored by the non-profit Physicians Scientists and Engineers for Healthy Energy (PSE) and the Mid-Atlantic Center for Children's Health and the Environment.
Fracking or hydrofracking involves the injection of high-pressure fluids into shale deep underground. It fractures the shale, releasing reserves of natural gas.
They said there is a strong need for scientific and health information on the health impacts of fracking, and they called for creation of an independent foundation to seek answers.
The doctors pointed to the recent earthquakes in eastern Ohio, which environmental experts blame on a fracking wastewater well too close to a known fault line.
Dr. Adam Law, of the Weill Cornell Medical College said, "There are health care needs in various gas drilling communities and these must be met. The reality is that industry has not done nearly enough to finance the needed research effort."
There's been no comment from the industry on the call for a moratorium.
Full details of the conference can be found at: psehealthy.energy.org.
