Fake News: Multimodal Writing Assignment ENC 1102
In light of the Covid-19 Pandemic and the groundbreaking discovery of vaccines by pharmaceutical companies at the end of the year 2020, many different articles propagating claims regarding the vaccine changing human DNA of those getting vaccinated circulated on all forms of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. In September 2020, Emerald Robinson, a former White House Correspondent, posted on the social media platform that “Some of these new vaccines will rewrite your DNA.” Videos, where individuals claimed to be actual Doctors, warn those watching about the dangers of how the vaccine will affect their DNA. After thoroughly examining and researching the claims, it is quite clear that the Covid-19 vaccination gives individuals immunity to the virus and does not alter Human DNA or implant a tracking chip into individuals receiving the vaccination.
When conducting a Google search for “Covid-19 vaccine altering DNA,” many articles dedicated to debunking the myth and providing facts appear. Many pages, including Forbes and Reuters, all have articles to debunk the myth. One of those pages, BBC News, debunks in detail the false claims of the vaccine altering human DNA. BBC News claims that the DNA altering myth started back in May of 2020 when osteopath Carrie Madej first made a video about this claim. It was in this video that she mentioned it would change the DNA of its recipients. It was after this that the claim took off. Articles, videos, and images made headway stirring panic and confusion about the vaccines to many individuals, not only in the United States but also worldwide. Although the articles, videos, and images were removed from these sites due to violating the terms of service, their impact on the population continues.
The claims that went viral and made by Dr. Carrie Madej and Emerald Robinson are easily debunked with as little as a simple Google search. According to the international organization, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI), “Although mRNA vaccines are a relatively new technology, they are based on the same ancient premise: delivering mRNA into our cells, which they will use to manufacture a viral protein.” This explanation helps support their claim that “However, mRNA isn’t the same as DNA, and it can’t combine with our DNA to change our genetic code.” The BBC News article also mentions how Prof. Jeffrey Almond of Oxford University explains that the RNA vaccine will not alter the DNA of Human Cells. Instead, it allows the body to instruct itself to produce the proper protein and antibodies to fight the virus.
The Covid-19 pandemic and all the false information spread through social media made noise through the year 2020 and continues to do so today. These types of false claims misrepresent reality and cause confusion on a global level. These myths focus the population away from facts, driving those who are not adequately informed to make misguided decisions. Individuals who turn to these social media platforms trust someone with a video camera and a microphone instead of reliable sources. Are the individuals creating and spreading the false information looking for attention, or do they have an agenda? Either way, it is best not to feed the fire and make sure to research and look for reputable sources.
Works Cited
“Fact Check: COVID-19 Vaccines Won’t Alter Recipient DNA; Frontline Workers Have Suffered Directly from the Virus.” Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 18 Dec. 2020, www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-viral-post-idUSKBN28S2V1.
Forster, Victoria. “Covid-19 Vaccines Can’t Alter Your DNA, Here’s Why.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 12 Jan. 2021, www.forbes.com/sites/victoriaforster/2021/01/11/covid-19-vaccines-cant-alter-your-dna-heres-why/.
Goodman, Flora Carmichael and Jack. “Vaccine Rumours Debunked: Microchips, ‘Altered DNA’ and More.” BBC News, BBC, 2 Dec. 2020, www.bbc.com/news/54893437.
Mdelumeau. “FALSE : ‘Some of These New Vaccines Will Rewrite Your DNA.’” Eucheck France, 2 Dec. 2020, www.eucheck.fr/2020/12/02/false-some-of-these-new-vaccines-will-rewrite-your-dna/.
“Will an MRNA Vaccine Alter My DNA?” Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/will-mrna-vaccine-alter-my-dna.