Covid-19: KJ posts ICR video, Swedish study does not show mRNA vaccine alters DNA

PETALING JAYA: A Swedish study on vaccines did not show that the Covid-19 mRNA vaccine alters human genetic code or DNA, says the Institute for Clinical Research (ICR).

In a video on its social media accounts, which was reposted by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, ICR added that the claims made by certain people were factually incorrect.

“The Swedish researchers experimented with liver cancer cells that have no resemblance to cells found in the human body.

“These cancer cells have abnormal chromosomes and produce long interspersed nuclear element-1, or Line-1, which in fact is an enzyme that converts RNA into DNA,” it said, adding that normal human cells could not produce Line-1 enzymes.

ICR explained that the DNA produced by the enzyme are short sequences located outside the cell’s nucleus and it does not integrate with nucleus DNA.

On Sunday (March 13), Khairy tweeted the video, saying that “some people have claimed that a Swedish study found that the mRNA vaccine can enter liver cells and change our DNA.

“How true is this claim? Here’s @ICR_NIH with the explanation,” he added.

Recently, the Swedish research findings have been misused by a group of people who were against vaccination.

An open letter by a group claiming to be "medical experts" have also been making rounds on WhatsApp, demanding the government to put a pause on the vaccination programme.

The message entailed that the research "has confirmed" their concerns regarding the potential long-term adverse effect of the mRNA Covid-19 vaccine, which includes DNA change.

mRNA vaccines such as Moderna and Comirnaty (Pfizer-Biontech) vaccines used the mRNA technology rather than the conventional vaccine mechanism that uses inactivated virus cells to increase human immunity against Covid-19.

The mRNA technology allows human muscle cells to produce proteins that resemble the spike proteins on the coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2).

The immune system will recognise the proteins and develop antibodies to fight against it.

ICR added that the mRNA vaccine will leave the body after it has helped the muscle cells to produce the spike protein.

Some people have claimed that a Swedish study found that mRNA vaccine can enter liver cells and change our DNA. How true is this claim? Here’s @ICR_NIH with the explanation. pic.twitter.com/wJBx3nmlm0 — Khairy Jamaluddin  (@Khairykj) March 13, 2022