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I guess my point is that our understanding of how mRNA vaccines operate (or any other methods for manipulating genetic materials, for that matter) might prove i

I guess my point is that our understanding of how mRNA vaccines operate (or any other methods for manipulating genetic materials, for that matter) might prove incomplete, just like how we underestimated the importance of microchromosomes, as stated in the article. The current generation of mRNA vaccines may be simple enough for the scientists to analyse, but I feel it will only be a matter of time before the complexity of such technologies grow to the point that it resembles art more than science. (I am looking at you, deep neural networks!)

caymanjim 5y ago
mRNA's mechanism of action is trivially simple. There's a known gene that codes for a known protein, and they create a snippet of mRNA to codify it. It doesn't change your DNA, it's not a virus, it's not able to replicate in any way. There aren't any unknowns waiting to be discovered. The mechanism is fully-understood and easy and safe. The complications with mRNA vaccines like this have to do with keeping the mRNA intact during delivery and getting it into the cell so the protein gets built. That's the hard part, and the focus of all the patented engineering that differentiates BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. And the delivery mechanism, while complicated, doesn't involve anything genetic; it's a mechanical problem.
- RyEgswuCsn 5y ago
  > There aren't any unknowns waiting to be discovered. The mechanism is fully-understood and easy and safe. I am sure many people felt that we had figured it all out w.r.t. planet motions etc. with Newton's law of physics :) You are mistaken if you think I am anti-vaccine or something. I merely tried to point out that there are always unknown unknowns and that we should remain cautious when it is people's health that are at risk.