Another mRNA myth – They change my DNA
No! mRNA vaccines Do NOT change your DNA
Every now and then people who don’t have a current biology background tell me this! This post is about the mRNA myth – They change my DNA.
Here is the fact: Nuclear pores control what gets in and out of the cell nucleus. In general, mRNA’s are only allowed out, they don’t go back in.
Viruses with reverse transcriptases, will put mRNA back into the nucleus DNA, but only some viruses, like HIV, have those enzymes to do this. The HIV virus literately destroys the nucleus DNA to replicate itself. This is why HIV/AIDS is a wasting disease. Technically, HIV is a Revtraviricetes is a class of viruses that contains all viruses that encode a reverse transcriptase. The group includes all ssRNA-RT viruses (including the retroviruses) and dsDNA-RT viruses.
So the point is mRNA vaccines do not have the ability to change your DNA.
Fact one – You will not get COVID-19 from the vaccine.
Fact two – The vaccine will not change or damage your genetic information. (Per Johns Hopkins Medical School).
Fact three – Even if you are vaccinated, you still need to wear your mask. Frequently wash your hands and maintain physical distance to help keep everyone safe.
There we have debunked the mRNA myths
Sadly one of my favorite text books has not been updated since 2014. This is a very good reference text book: Molecular Biology of the Gene, 7th edition
This great textbook has information on mRNA and DNA
So if you have a friend who thinks they know more than James D Watson who co-discovered DNA double helix with Crick, Wilkins and Rosalind Franklin. He has worked since the 1950’s on DNA till 2008.