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| - Last Updated on December 6, 2024 by Dr Priyamvada
Quick Take
Numerous social media posts are raising the question, “Why are vaccines patented?” suggesting that patents on viruses indicate they were created or manipulated. Our fact check concludes that this claim is mostly false.
The Claim
We encountered several posts on X asserting that “Patents on viruses like AIDS, H1N1, Ebola, SARS, and others demonstrate that these viruses were created or manipulated by organizations for malicious purposes.”
Fact Check
What do these patent numbers mean?
The numbers shown in the image correspond to actual patents or applications, but they don’t mean the viruses themselves are owned or created. Let’s address each number:
- AIDS (US5676977A): This patent was issued in 1996. However, this isn’t an AIDS patent. It’s a patent for a device using tetrasilver tetroxide, which was hoped to treat AIDS. The patent has since expired.
- H1N1 (US8835624B1): This patent pertains to a vaccine against the H1N1 influenza virus. But, this isn’t a patent for the virus that causes swine flu. It’s for an aptamer, a molecule designed to bind to other molecules, which scientists used to identify the H1N1 virus.
- Ebola (US20120251502A1 and CA2741523A1): The US patent US20120251502A1 is for a strain of the Ebola virus called EboBun. The US government applied for the patent not to invent the virus, but to allow other companies to use it for research and prevent anyone else from claiming it. This patent is now abandoned. Moreover, the patent CA2741523A1 is for the same virus, filed by the US government in Canada. It is still active.
- Swine Flu (US8124101B2): This patent is for a weakened swine flu virus, created in a lab for use in vaccines and medicines. It was filed in 2005 by the US government and two medical schools and is still active.
- Zika (ATCC® VR-84™): This is not a patent but a reference to a strain of the Zika virus stored at ATCC (American Type Culture Collection). ATCC provides standardised virus samples for research, which are essential for developing diagnostics and vaccines. Researchers pay for access to these strains to ensure uniformity in studies. VR-84 is a Zika virus strain first isolated by scientists and is trademarked by ATCC.
- SARS (US7897744B2 and US8506968B2): The first patent is for the genetic sequence of the SARS virus, filed by the Public Health Agency of Canada in 2004, not for inventing the virus but for identifying its DNA. It’s for use in diagnosing or preventing SARS-related illnesses. The second patent listed is for a SARS vaccine, but it has now expired.
- Coronavirus (US10130701B2): This patent covers a modified coronavirus designed for use in vaccine research. Similar patents were filed long before COVID-19, as coronaviruses had already been studied for diseases like SARS and MERS. In 2015, the Pirbright Institute applied for a patent on a weakened version of the avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), intended to be used as a vaccine to prevent illness in birds and other animals. However, this patent is unrelated to the virus that causes COVID-19. These patents are essential for safely researching viruses and developing treatments.
Do patents on viruses mean they were invented or controlled by someone?
No, patents on viruses do not mean they were created or controlled. Patents typically cover things like modified virus strains, research tools, or vaccines, not the virus itself. These patents help protect scientific discoveries and encourage further research, but they don’t prove that anyone invented or owns the virus.
Why is it necessary to patent viruses or related innovations?
Patents are important because they encourage scientific progress. They let researchers and organisations protect their discoveries and secure funding for future work. When it comes to viruses, patents usually cover:
- Modified strains: Viruses that are altered in labs for safe research and vaccine development.
- Diagnostic tools: Tests or methods for detecting viruses early and accurately.
- Vaccines and treatments: Formulas and techniques to prevent or treat diseases.
Without patents, companies or researchers might be less willing to spend money and time on expensive research. Patents also help make sure that new discoveries are used responsibly and shared in a way that benefits everyone.
Do patents restrict access to treatments?
Not necessarily. While patents protect intellectual property, most organisations prioritise public health during outbreaks. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many patented technologies were shared or licensed to expedite vaccine production.
Government regulations and international agreements often ensure that patented treatments are accessible during public health emergencies. So, patents are more about incentivising research than limiting access.
In a similar way, we have also seen conspiracy theories surrounding the COVID pandemic, such as the claim that COVID-19 vaccines were part of a military project, or that they contain nanobots.
THIP Media Take
The claim that patents on viruses mean they were created or controlled is mostly false. The numbers in the viral image actually refer to patents or applications for things like research tools, vaccines, and diagnostic methods—not for owning or creating viruses. These patents play a key role in advancing science, improving disease management, and preparing for public health challenges. Misunderstanding them only spreads fear and distrust in science.
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