Anti-vax theory debunked

PETALING JAYA: Research carried out by the Swedish-based Institute for Clinical Research (ICR) did not show Covid-19 mRNA vaccine altered a human’s genetic code or DNA.In a video on its social media accounts, which Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin retweeted, ICR said the claims made by certain people were factually incorrect.

“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 is an enzyme that converts RNA into DNA,” the video showed, adding that normal human cells do 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.

“Some people have claimed that a Swedish study found that mRNA vaccine can enter liver cells and change our DNA,” said Khairy.

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

Recently, this research findings have been misused by anti-vaxxers.

An open letter by a group claiming to be “medical experts” has also been making its rounds on WhatsApp, demanding the government pause its vaccination programme.

The group said the Swedish research “has confirmed” its concerns regarding the potential long-term adverse effect of mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccines, including DNA change.

Vaccines such as Moderna and Comirnaty use mRNA technology rather than the conventional method that uses inactivated virus cells to increase human immunity against Covid-19.

mRNA technology allows human muscle cells to produce proteins resembling the coronavirus’ spike proteins. The immune system will recognise the proteins and develop antibodies to fight against them.

ICR also said mRNA vaccines leave the body after they have helped the muscle cells produce the spike protein.