An investigative report suggests that Pfizer may be conducting gain-of-function research it calls “directed evolution” research to mutate the SARS-CoV-2 virus to create additional, more potent variants and vaccines to fight future options. This type of research, like gain-of-function research, has long been controversial and suspected to be the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) sent a letter to Albert Burla, Pfizer’s president and CEO, following the release of a video showing Pfizer’s director of research and development casually discussing the company’s handling of the SARS-Cov-2 virus for company profit.
- “Whether it’s the acquisition of functional studies or selected structural mutations through directed evolution, as Mr. Walker claims will happen, any effort to make the virus more transmissible and more lethal is careless and dangerous.” Mr. Walker also said that Pfizer was willing to get involved in this dangerous research because COVID and its variants are a “cash cow” for the company and regulators will be easy on their efforts because a significant percentage of government employees are aspire to work for Pfizer and other biopharmaceutical companies and do not want to compromise their future job prospects.” — Senator Rubio
Want more information? The full text of the letter is below. Dear Dr. Burla: I am writing in response to disturbing reports of Pfizer’s intention to mutate the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID) virus through gain-of-function or “directed evolution,” as described by Pfizer’s director of research and development, Jordan Walker. As has been proven time and time again, trying to mutate a virus, especially one as potent as COVID, is dangerous. If the allegations described in the video are true, Pfizer has put its desire for profit above concern for national and global health and must be held accountable. In a video published by Project Veritas on January 25, 2023, Mr. Walker outlined Pfizer’s plans to develop new vaccines for future variants of COVID by mutating the virus through directed evolution, a process that uses protein engineering to force natural selection of living organisms or other biological materials, including viruses. Although he says the research is currently “exploratory,” he details how the research will proceed, such as how scientists will inject the mutated viruses into monkeys and collect serial samples from other monkeys who are infected. Whether it’s the acquisition of functional studies or selected structural mutations through directed evolution, as Mr. Walker claims will happen, any effort to make the virus more transmissible and more lethal is sloppy and dangerous. Mr. Walker also said that Pfizer was willing to get involved in this dangerous research because COVID and its variants are a “cash cow” for the company and regulators will be easy on their efforts because a significant percentage of government employees are aspire to work for Pfizer and other biopharmaceutical companies and do not want to compromise their future job prospects. As a company that claims to “innovate every day to make the world a healthier place,” these claims from your R&D-charged leadership are alarming. Because the American people deserve to know, please provide the following information: 1. What efforts is Pfizer currently making or planning to make to mutate the SARS-CoV-2 virus? 2. Does Pfizer intend to continue mutating the SARS-CoV-2 virus through gain-of-function research or directed evolution to create new vaccines before the variant is present in the larger population? 3. Has Pfizer engaged federal officials involved regarding their plans to monitor this research? Please provide the names and agencies of these individuals. 4. What steps did Pfizer take to ensure that the mutated virus did not escape from the laboratory and infect the majority of the population? 5. Has Pfizer engaged with other biopharmaceutical companies to collaborate on this research effort? Please list the organizations you have been in contact with. 6. Will you commit to stopping any future research that mutates the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, as substantial evidence suggests that such dangerous research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology very likely led to the initial emergence and global spread of the virus ? As a leader in global public health and COVID vaccine development, with US taxpayer dollars, it is critical that Pfizer be held accountable for its actions and be transparent with the public about the nature and intent of its research. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt reply.
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