Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the United States top public health official , recently claimed that some religious groups do not take the MMR vaccine because of ” aborted foetus debris ” and “DNA particles”.
There are currently more than 900 measles cases in the US, and outbreaks continue to spread in many states.
Kennedy, Secretary of Health and Human Services continues to undermine trust in vaccines.
What can we say about his recent claims?
The MMR vaccine does not contain any fetal material
Kennedy claimed that “aborted foetal debris” found in MMR vaccines was the reason why many religious people refused vaccination. He specifically referred to the Mennonites of Texas, an extremely religious group, which has been one of the hardest-hit communities by the recent measles epidemics.
In many vaccines, the virus that causes measles is attenuated or weakened. For example, the MMR vaccine uses attenuated viruses of the viruses which cause rubella, mumps, and measles. This allows the immune system to practice recognizing and responding to viruses.
In this way, the immune system of a person can respond quickly and effectively to an actual infection. This prevents serious illness.
Kennedy’s claim regarding fetal waste is specific to the rubella component in the MMR vaccine. The rubella virus can be grown on a human cell-line called WI-38 that was originally derived in the 1960s from a single elective abortive lungs. This cell line was used for many decades and no new fetal tissues have been used since.
Some vaccines for other diseases such as rabies and hepatitis A have been produced by growing viruses in fetal cell cultures.
They are not used because they were originally from these cells, but rather because they offer a stable, reliable and safe environment to grow the attenuated viruses. These cells are used only to grow the virus. They do not form part of the final product.
Imagine the cells as factories that produce viruses. After the virus has been grown, it is extracted and purified in a strict process that meets safety and quality standards. The final vaccine contains only the virus and stabilising agents. Human cells or fetal tissues are not included.
The vaccine does not contain “fetal debri” as claimed.
The world’s most important religions allow the use of vaccines that are developed using cells derived originally from fetal tissues when there is no other product available.
Is there DNA fragments in the MMR vaccine
Kennedy said that Mennonites were reluctant to vaccinate due to “religious objections,” referring to “a lot aborted fetus and DNA particles” found in the MMR vaccine.
Technically, the second claim is true. Even after purification, traces of fragments of DNA may still be present in the human cell line used to make the rubella component for the MMR vaccine.
This claim implies that these fragments are a risk to health. This is not true.
The DNA in the vaccine is extremely small, highly fragmented, degraded and biologically inert, meaning that it cannot harm.
Even if intact DNA was present in the vaccination (which is not the case), it wouldn’t be able to harm anyone. A common (but unfounded concern) is that foreign DNA can integrate with the DNA of a person and alter their DNA.
It is difficult to introduce DNA into cells of the human body in a manner that will lead to integration. Even when scientists deliberately try to do this, such as for gene therapy it requires precise instruments, special viral delivery system and controlled conditions.
We must also remember that our bodies are continually exposed to foreign genetic material, whether it’s through bacteria, food or even our microbiome. Our immune system regularly digests this material and discards it without integrating it into our DNA.
This question has been studied extensively over the past decades. Several health authorities, such as Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration have addressed misinformation about the perceived harm of residual DNA in vaccines.
The idea that DNA fragments in vaccines could harm genetically is a false one.
Bottom line
Kennedy may have you believe otherwise, but there is no fetal material in the MMR shot, and any trace amounts of remaining DNA pose no risk to your health.
The evidence shows that MMR vaccines, for example, offer excellent protection from deadly and preventable disease and have saved thousands of lives all over the world.
Hassan Vally has not disclosed any relevant affiliations other than their academic appointment.
