My partner, a biochemist, has mentioned the potential possibility of RNA viruses causing the RNA of the vaccine to stabilize as some sort of DNA structure. Normally RNA is quickly broken down by RNase, but apparently RNA viruses have a mechanism to defend against this, that it's possible to imagine having an interaction with an RNA vaccine.
I don't know anything about biochemistry, and I'm aware that the above is just remote speculation. It is meant as an example of food for thought. But I do wonder when a whole field of scientists state "there is no possibility of unexpected long-term side effects" to a therapeutic tool that has never been used at anything resembling this scale.
Would love to hear more experts discuss why this is considered sufficiently long-term safe to make the decision of vaccinating a billion people after nine months of testing. Am I missing something, or is it just a question of the precautionary principle in this case being considered too costly?
I don't know anything about biochemistry, and I'm aware that the above is just remote speculation. It is meant as an example of food for thought. But I do wonder when a whole field of scientists state "there is no possibility of unexpected long-term side effects" to a therapeutic tool that has never been used at anything resembling this scale.
Would love to hear more experts discuss why this is considered sufficiently long-term safe to make the decision of vaccinating a billion people after nine months of testing. Am I missing something, or is it just a question of the precautionary principle in this case being considered too costly?