Pfizer has denied any involvement in gain-of-function research for the coronavirus virus. The pharmaceutical giant responded to a letter sent by Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX) with a letter that clearly stated they do not engage in research to create or adapt viruses to make them more contagious or harmful to people.
In the same letter, Pfizer explained that when new variants of the virus emerge, they study changes in its spike protein to understand if their vaccine needs updating. This type of work is done to assess the effectiveness of existing vaccines and new vaccine candidates targeted at currently circulating variants. It is also conducted by other companies, institutions, and public health authorities.
Pfizer also evaluates variants for the effectiveness of its oral treatment Paxlovid which could be used to treat coronavirus symptoms. Pfizer said this work is done in highly secure laboratories and never tested on animals.
The inquiry began after Project Veritas released a video featuring Jordon Trishton Walker, a Pfizer Director of Research and Development Strategic Operations who talked about “directed evolution” at Pfizer labs. Rep. Ronny Jackson was alarmed at the potential risk posed to public health and wrote a letter demanding answers from Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla on whether this gain-of-function research was taking place at their company’s labs or not.
Thankfully, Pfizer has strongly denied involvement in such unethical activities that prioritize profits over public safety by conducting dangerous experiments on human lives. They have reiterated their commitment to keeping high standards of safety, quality, and compliance at all times during their research efforts for an effective treatment for COVID-19 symptoms as well as preventing further spread through vaccinations.
