CLAIM: A Swedish study shows that Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine changes recipients’ DNA.
AP’S ASSESSMENT: False. The study tested whether the vaccine’s mRNA could be converted to DNA, and found that this was the case in certain lab-altered liver cell lines under experimental conditions. It did not assess whether the vaccine alters the human genome, or what the effects of that would be, according to experts and the study authors. Experts say additional research is needed because the findings in the lab setting cannot be used to make inferences about what might happen in a human body.
THE FACTS: Social media users are citing a study from Sweden that was published in February to push the unproven theory that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines permanently alter recipients’ DNA.
A clip being shared online in recent days shows three doctors, who have spread misinformation about the vaccines in the past, discussing the Swedish study and falsely claiming it demonstrates that “the Pfizer vaccine reverse transcribes and installs DNA into the human genome,” leading to harmful effects. The genome is the set of instructions to build and sustain a human being.
The clip comes from a longer roundtable discussion that was posted March 8 by Christian broadcasting network Daystar, during which faith leaders discussed COVID-19 vaccines with the doctors. Other social media users sharing the clip have commented that the paper proves mRNA COVID-19 vaccines “change the recipient’s DNA.”
Experts say that such...
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