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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 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 the 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.
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