SOUTH AFRICA: NEW VACCINE WITH CHIMPANZEE-DERIVED ADENOVECTOR TO BE TRIALLED ON 6 TO 7 MONTH OLD INFANTS, ALLEGED NEWS. [1] A public notification "Application for the intended use of GMO vaccine in South Africa" appeared in the Sunday Times on May 12, 2019. [1]
GlaxoSmithKline Biologica S.A., Rue de l'Institut, 89, 1330 Rixensart, Belgium, informed the public by means of the public notification "Application for the intended use of GMO Vaccine in South Africa" which is chimpanzee-derived. [1]
Chimpanzee-derived vaccine
GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals is developing a pediatric RSV vaccine [ChAd155-RSV vaccine] and will conduct a clinical trial. The vaccine is to be given intramuscularly to six and seven month old infants. [1]
The trial is planned in the region of Chris Hani Baragwanath, Soweto, Johannesburg. [1]
The duration of the vaccination phase of the clinical trial will be approximately 6 months. [1]
The vaccine itself is a suspension which is chimpanzee-derived according to the public notification application. [1]
"The ChAd155-RSV vaccine is a viral suspension of the recombinant replication-defective simian [chimpanzee-derived] group C adenovirus serotype 155 [ChAdd155] viral vector construct engineered to express three proteins from the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV/donor]: the fusion F protein, the nucleocapsid protein N and the transcription anti-termination protein M2-1." [1]
Intended outcome
The intended outcome of the genetic modifications appears to be to activate immunity to the respiratory syncytial virus.
"The intended outcome of the genetic modifications is to activate a [sic] RSV antigen-specific immune reponse in a naïve population" explains the application. [1]
[In research methodology, a naive participant is a participant or subject who has no previous experience of the procedure, or one who is unaware. (1b)
Population refers to the target group, the entire set under consideration. (1c) ]
Thus, the vaccine which has been genetically modified with chimpanzee-derivement is intended to immunise the infants against infections of the lungs and respiratory tract [breathing airways].
Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Respiratory syncytial virus causes infections of the the lungs and respiratory tract. [2]
According to the Mayo Clinic, respiratory syncytial virus is so common that most children have been infected with the virus by age 2. [2]
Respiratory syncytial virus can also affect adults.
Symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus include:
- congested or runny nose
- dry cough
- low-grade fever
- sore throat
- mild headache [2]
Comments or objections invited
The public notification application for the intended use of GMO vaccine in South Africa ended with the invitation to all interested parties to submit comments or objections.
"All interested parties should submit comments or objections, in connection with the intended release, in writing to:
The Registrar: Genetically Modified Organisms Act, Private Bag X973, Pretoria 0001
Fax: (012) 319 6298
Email: NompumeleloM@daff.gov.za" [1]
Grave concern
Many have been reacting to the proposed chimpanzee-derived adenovector vaccine trial with grave concern.
Concerns include:
- The introduction of intramuscular chimpanzee-derived vaccine into 6 to 7 month old infants in the region of Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Soweto, Johannesburg, is one of introduction into a section of the population whose members are unable either to speak up for themselves or to give any form of informed consent whatever
- The introduction of the ChAd155-RSV vaccine may prove of risk to those vaccinated within some decades, as this would appear to possibly be an introduction without previous clinical history in the long-term effects of a viral suspension of the chimpanzee-derived group C adenovirus serotype 155 [ChAd155] viral vector construct engineered to express three proteins from the respiratory syncytial virus [RSV/donor]: the fusion F protein, the nucleocapsid protein N and the transcription anti-termination protein M2-1
- The question is asked what the long-term effects of chimpanzee-derived vaccine ChAdd155-RSV will be
Comment feed mainly disagrees with the application
A live comment feed on "Dear South Africa" has displayed mainly 'I disagree' comments to the proposed application for use of the GMO vaccine. [3]
A few comments:
"They should test it on themselves first before they decide to test it on new born babies. The fact that it has some sort of chimpanzee DNA sounds scary anyway."
"Children are not lab rats. We must protect our children from becoming tools for corporate profit making. This is our future generation and side effects of these tests will have an impact on the future of our next generation. Our children are not test subjects and should not be treated as such."
"This has never been thoroughly tested. Leave nature alone."
"GMO's are a known carcinogen so why would we inject this poison into our little babies."
"Shocking!"
"The rights of the children are not taken into account. I strongly object to this."
Moral concern
The application for the chimpanzee-derived vaccine is of moral concern.
Science and technology should serve humanity according to specific moral criteria: one of these being the service of humanity in a manner in which the dignity of the human person who is endowed with a spiritual soul is maintained.
The moral dilemma posed by the intended use of GMO vaccine ChAd155-RSV is that of indignity to which the human person vaccinated with the animal-derived vaccine will be subjected.
Humanity has been made in the Image and Likeness of Almighty God [Genesis 1:25-27] to rule over the animal kingdom: not to be joined with the animal kingdom.
Why not voice your concerns?
Write to
"The Registrar: Genetically Modified Organisms Act, Private Bag X973, Pretoria 0001
Fax: [012] 319 6298
Email: NompumeleloM@daff.gov.za" [1]
and post your opinion on the live comment feed
Title of the Clinical Trial
The clinical trial is entitled 'A Phase 1/2, randomized, observer-blind, controlled, multi-center study to evaluate safety, reactogenicity and immogenicity of GSK Biologicals' respiratory syncytial virus [RSV] investigational vaccine based on the RSV viral proteins, F, N and M2-1 encoded by chimpanzee-derived adenovector [ChAd155-RSV], when administered intramuscularly according to a 1 dose and a 0, 1-month 2 dose schedule to infants aged 6 and 7 months'. [1] in the region of Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Soweto, Johannesburg, at an identified investigational site under the responsibility of the Principal Investigator, as part of an international, multicentre clinical trial. The release will take place in designated hospital or clinic rooms. The release will be performed by dedicated and trained personnel. The duration of the vaccination phase of the clinical trial will be approximately 6 months starting from Q3-2019 in South Africa. [1]
[1] Sunday Times: 2019-05-12 - PressReader
May 12, 2019 - 14 May 12 2019 - SUNDAY TIMES News Sunday Times The A-Listers PUBLIC NOTIFICATION ... Rixensart, Belgium, hereby informs the public its intention to submit an applicationfor the intended use of a GMO vaccine in South Africa. ... Africa. NOTICE TO ALL EMPLOYERS The Filing season is now open.
(1b) Naive participant
https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780199534067.001.0001/acref-9780199534067-e-5336
(1c) Population
[2] Respiratory syncytial virus [RSV] Mayo Clinic
[3] Comments - Dear South Africa
With thanks to Sunday Times pressreader.com, oxfordreference.com, libguides.usc.ed, mayoclinic.org and dearsouthafrica.co.za
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