As
my readers know, I've been reporting on new types of technology that
could be used in a coming COVID-19 vaccine---and warning about the
consequences.
One such technology is: DNA vaccines. They would alter recipients' genetic makeup permanently.
But Reuters has seen fit to claim: "A future COVID-19 [DNA] vaccine will not genetically modify humans." This comes from their "fact-check team" --- May 18, 2020: "False claim: A COVID-19 vaccine will genetically modify humans."
To
reach this conclusion, Reuters cites two people: "Mark Lynas, a
visiting fellow at Cornell University's Alliance for Science group", and
"Dr. Paul McCray, Professor of Pediatrics, Microbiology, and Internal
Medicine at the University of Iowa."
I have cited the New York Times, March 10, 2015, "Protection Without a Vaccine." Here are quotes from the Times article:
"By
delivering synthetic genes into the muscles of the [experimental]
monkeys, the scientists are essentially re-engineering the animals to
resist disease."
"'The sky's the limit,' said Michael Farzan, an immunologist at Scripps and lead author of the new study."
"The
first human trial based on this strategy - called immunoprophylaxis by
gene transfer, or I.G.T. - is underway, and several new ones are
planned." [That was five years ago.]
"I.G.T. is altogether
different from traditional vaccination. It is instead a form of gene
therapy. Scientists isolate the genes that produce powerful antibodies
against certain diseases and then synthesize artificial versions. The
genes are placed into viruses and injected into human tissue, usually
muscle."
[Here is the punch line] "The viruses invade human cells
with their DNA payloads, and the synthetic gene is incorporated into
the recipient's own DNA. If all goes well, the new genes instruct the
cells to begin manufacturing powerful antibodies."
The Times article taps Dr. David Baltimore for an opinion:
"Still,
Dr. Baltimore says that he envisions that some people might be leery of
a vaccination strategy that means altering their own DNA, even if it
prevents a potentially fatal disease."
So it's a battle of the experts. The two men Reuters cited, versus the Times' David Baltimore.
I
don't hold up the scientific work of any of these men for great
acclaim. I'm only interested in which man knows whether a DNA vaccine
would permanently alter the genetic makeup of every recipient's DNA.
David
Baltimore is a Nobel Laureate (1975, in Physiology/Medicine), and the
past president of the American Association for the Advancement of
Science (1997-2006). He's one of the most famous scientists in the
world.
I'm betting Reuters would happily trade their unknown
experts for Baltimore, if he would side with their claim. Perhaps
they'll now approach him, and perhaps he'll change his mind. But the NY
Times has him on the record, in 2015, admitting that DNA vaccines do
alter genetic makeup.
World famous mainstream experts don't readily admit this sort of thing out in the open, unless they're stating the obvious.
The verdict on the Reuters fact-check team? Fact-checkers checked the wrong box.
Final
point for the moment: Researchers are fond of saying their genetic
technologies are quite safe. This a bald-faced lie. Claiming, for
example, that a DNA COVID vaccine would alter humans' genetic makeup in
entirely predictable and harmless ways is like saying a car without
brakes, doing a hundred miles an hour, set loose on a highway during
rush hour, would create no damage whatsoever.
SOURCES:
reuters[dot]com/article/uk-factcheck-covid-19-vaccine-modify/false-claim-a-covid-19-vaccine-will-genetically-modify-humans-idUSKBN22U2BZ
nytimes[dot]com/2015/03/10/health/protection-without-a-vaccine.html
blog[dot]nomorefakenews[dot]com/tag/dna/ |
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