Somebody once referred to Fact Checkers as the internet’s version of firefighters. It’s the theory they are designed to squash inconvenient truths online. Is that true? It sure seems so with Reuters, “Fact Check: Bayer executive’s comments misinterpreted in social media posts”. It’s their attempt to debunk Bayer CEO Stephan Oelrich’s speech from October 24, 2021 stating that the mRNA vaccines are a gene therapy. It’s not the first time as they were debunking this in April and August of 2021 as well. Apparently, they can’t let this one go.
First, here is the clip:
Stephan Oelrich’s actual quote:
“Ultimately the mRNA vaccines are an example for that cell and gene therapy.”
And,
“I always like to say, if we had surveyed two years ago in the public, ‘would you be willing to take gene or cell therapy and inject it into your body?,’ we would have probably had a 95% refusal rate. I think this pandemic has also opened many people’s eyes to innovation in the way that was maybe not possible before.”
Reuters verdict:
False. In this clip, Bayer executive Stefan Oelrich did not “admit” that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are “in fact” gene therapy. He was highlighting the public’s acceptance of a technological innovation like mRNA COVID-19 vaccines as an example of how people could potentially also accept the company’s gene and cell therapies. While mRNA vaccines do use genetic material, they are not designed to change the recipient’s genetic makeup and thus they are distinct from gene therapy.
Astonishing! In other words don’t believe what you have seen and heard, your eyes and ears are lying to you. A very Orwellian take on this from a news agency that got its start in 1851. Apparently the reporting days are long gone and manipulating what people think and know is at the forefront of certain issues. The issues that matter most to those who rule.
Believe what we tell you—not what you just heard.
Oelrich did say that mRNA was an example of cell and gene therapy. How hard is that to miss? He did mention the public’s acceptance of a technological innovation but this was a separate issue not related to his gene therapy statement. By using this angle, Reuters anonymous fake checker is being misleading by misinterpreting what Oelrich actually said.
Not to be undone, Reuters has links to earlier reports on various issues with the Covid 19 vaccine dismissing various controversies. However, these links are now out of date with some being 3 years old. They don’t think this matters? The latest studies done in the USA and abroad, show serious problems with mRNA technology. (Check out the Dr. Jay Bhattacharya link below.) They do this to reinforce the notion that social media misinformation is to blame for the confusion and in the process cover up the dangers and side effects of this technology which are now known.
Final Word
It’s of note that Reuters accepts advertising from pharmaceutical companies of which they made no effort to disclose in their fact check. While they maintain a stance of full editorial independence from advertisers, they certainly have made quite an effort to defend a pharmaceutical product from controversy—even to the point of taking the extreme measure of misrepresenting Stephan Oelrich’s speech.
It’s advantageous to do your own research. Be your own fact checker.
Sources
Reuters
mRNA News
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya on COVID, Myocarditis, and Vaccines
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by8sEVTrqkY
Top Molecular Scientist Confirms DNA Contamination in Covid ‘Vaccines’ Integrates into Human Cells
At Least 55 Undeclared Chemical Elements Found in COVID-19 Vaccines