logo
Brief Publisher Logo
FACT BRIEF

Are COVID-19 vaccines gene therapy?

By Tom Kertscher
View this fact brief on Wisconsin Watch
Copy link
email
Copy featured image
email
NO

Gene therapy modifies a person’s genes to treat disease, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Richard Watanabe, physiology and neuroscience professor at the University of Southern California medical school, said the COVID-19 vaccines do not alter human genes or insert modified genes.

The vaccines do not enter the nucleus of the cell where DNA is located, so they cannot influence genes, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

At a Feb. 26, 2023, roundtable hosted by U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., Dr. Robert Malone made the gene therapy claim.

The scientist cited to Wisconsin Watch remarks by Bayer AG pharmaceuticals executive Stefan Oelrich. A Bayer spokesperson told Full Fact that Oelrich misspoke and the vaccines aren't gene therapy.

The New York Times and Washington Post have identified Malone as a prominent purveyor of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation.

Fact-checkers have repeatedly debunked the gene therapy claims.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Food and Drug Administration What is Gene Therapy?
Google Docs Richard Watanabe email
Centers for Disease Control Understanding How COVID-19 Vaccines Work
Rumble What Are Federal Health Agencies and the COVID Cartel Hiding? | Feb. 26
Google Docs Robert Malone 2/28/24 email
Rumble Head of Pharma at Bayer admits that the mRNA vaccines are gene therapy
Full Fact Bayer executive wrongly said mRNA vaccines are gene therapy
AP News No, COVID-19 vaccines aren’t gene therapy
PolitiFact Joe Rogan falsely says mRNA vaccines are ‘gene therapy’
Reuters mRNA vaccines are distinct from gene therapy, which alters recipient’s genes
Washington Post A vaccine scientist’s discredited claims have bolstered a movement of misinformation
New York Times Robert Malone Spreads Falsehoods About Vaccines. He Also Says He Invented Some.
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Wisconsin Watch
Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
FACT BRIEF BY
Brief Publisher Logo
Latest fact briefs from Wisconsin Watch
facebook
twitter
email
email
About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.