A type of virus whose genes are encoded into RNA rather than DNA, retroviruses function differently than other types of viruses but can be just as devastating. Human retroviruses include HIV and human T-cell lymphotropic virus 1, which has been associated with some leukemias and lymphomas.
All animals have some retroviruses integrated into their genomes, with as much as 15 percent of the human genome believed to be made up of ERV human retroviruses. They contribute to diseases such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, and neuroimmune diseases.
The manufacturing process involved in human and veterinary vaccines uses live animal and human cells to serve as master seed stock. The process was developed before the mechanisms of retroviruses were fully understood, which means that no one was aware of the risks at the time. While many retroviruses are harmless and remain essentially dormant, they become harmful when they are exposed to cells from other species, which is what can happen during the vaccine manufacturing process itself as well as during the administration of vaccines that contain cell components from other species. Incidentally, this is similar to what has been creating problems when researchers try to transplant pig tissues and organs into humans.
As new vaccines were developed in the 1970s, exposure to retroviruses intensified. These retroviruses have now been associated with many of the chronic illnesses modern humans are facing, from cancer and autism to Alzheimer’s and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It is believed that as many as 20 million Americans could be infected with retroviruses, but not all of them will go on to develop a serious illness. They can be thought of as sleeping giants, who are only awakened when there is an immune deficiency.
A recent study published in the journal Biologicals outlined how endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are infecting cats and how the feline retrovirus known as RD-114 has contaminated vaccines for other pets. There are at least two ERVs in cat genomes, and the RD-114 virus is found in a wide range of vaccines for dogs and other animals. In fact, a different study showed that RD-114-related viruses contaminated around a third of the 25 commercial vaccines for dogs and cats tested.
Retrovirus contamination in vaccines widespread
Research scientist Judy A. Mikovits even goes so far as to say that nearly all human vaccines are contaminated with at least one retrovirus, usually from an animal thanks to the animal byproducts used in vaccine creation. Six percent of Americans now have mouse-related retroviruses, for example, and that almost certainly comes from vaccines.
Take the example of the rotavirus vaccines RotaTeq and Rotarix, which made headlines a few years ago when they were found to be contaminated with pig viruses. The problem becomes even worse when multiple vaccines are given in combination, as is often the case with children and infants. Dr. Mikovits points out that one pig retrovirus can cause symptoms similar to AIDS when there is a simultaneous immune system activation, such as concurrent vaccination, creating a “high-risk scenario for disease in humans.”
Vaccines are risky enough when you take retroviruses out of the equation, but this vastly underreported problem could eventually prove to be the biggest danger of vaccines yet.
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