ADKO

monkeybus

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This document is an opinion piece from the Liberty Fighters Network of South Africa, dated August 4, 2020, which alleges that the South African SARS-CoV2 vaccine trials are not what they are presented to be, referring to them as “monkey business.” The author scrutinizes a YouTube report by Times Media Limited (TML) about the kick-off of the South African Covid-19 vaccine trials in Soweto. They express skepticism about the media’s reporting and highlight unusual aspects of the video, such as the lead researcher, Shabir Madhi, appearing without a mask, which they claim contradicts typical media protocols.

The article delves into Shabir Madhi’s background, identifying him as the Director of the Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit (RMPRU) at Witwatersrand University, affiliated with Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. They discuss the unit’s past research, particularly a study involving influenza vaccination of pregnant women and a multi-centered study on a chimeric RSV-PIVIII combination vaccine in children. The author interprets the “chimeric” research as involving injections of vaccine cocktails made from human and animal cells, raising ethical concerns about inter-species experiments on humans. They cite the “The Human-Animal Chimera Prohibition Act of 2016” and its definitions of “chimeric” to support their argument about the blurring of ethical lines.

A core claim of the article is that the serum injected into volunteers in the Soweto trials is a result of “chimeric research” and contains “Chimpanzee Adenosine,” implying the vaccine includes monkey genetics. This is presented as a significant ethical and legal issue, especially given Soweto’s historical context of racial segregation and derogatory use of the term “monkey” towards black people. The author questions why Soweto was chosen for these trials, linking it to its history and a perceived pattern of exploiting marginalized populations.

The article also highlights the significant funding received by Shabir Madhi’s unit from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), questioning the independence of the research and the potential for conflicts of interest. They suggest that Wits university may be effectively contracted to the BMGF, potentially compromising academic freedom. The authors express doubt about the transparency of the trials, pointing to discrepancies in trial documentation, such as the difference between the patient information sheet version and the protocol version, and the rapid pace of the trials.

The article then outlines a timeline of events related to vaccine development, including reports from Reuters, The New York Times, and The Economist, questioning the speed and apparent contradictions in the information released. They specifically critique the Oxford vaccine candidate, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, noting that early reports suggested it was ineffective in preventing infection and viral shedding, and that human trials seemed to commence before sufficient animal testing was completed and reported. The authors suggest that the vaccine’s potential for genetic mutations and transmission of “monkey genetics” to offspring is a serious, undisclosed risk.

Further skepticism is directed towards the approval process of the trials in South Africa, with the Biodiversity Institute of South Africa’s request for disclosure and alleged redactions in documentation. The authors also question the rationale behind the trial’s design, particularly the small sample size of HIV-positive participants, suggesting it serves as an excuse to use poor black individuals as “guinea pigs” and potentially engage in “double dipping” with HIV research funding.

The article concludes by hinting at financial motivations behind the vaccine trials, suggesting that the “Indian” element (referring to Serum Institute of India and AstraZeneca) will be explored in a subsequent part. They point to an AstraZeneca publication on June 4 as evidence of prior knowledge about the vaccine’s efficacy, raising further doubts about participant safety and the trial’s true purpose.

Summary with Marked Entities:

This opinion piece by the Liberty Fighters Network of South Africa argues that the South African SARS CoV2 vaccine trials are a deceptive undertaking, labeling them “monkey business.” The authors critique a Times Media Limited (TML) report on the Covid-19 vaccine trials in Soweto, questioning media impartiality and the appearance of lead researcher Shabir Madhi without a mask. They highlight Madhi’s affiliations with Witwatersrand University, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, and the Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit (RMPRU). Concerns are raised about past “chimeric” research involving human and animal cells, citing the “The Human-Animal Chimera Prohibition Act of 2016” to illustrate ethical boundaries. The central accusation is that the vaccine contains “Chimpanzee Adenosine,” essentially monkey genetics, and that this is being injected into Soweto residents without their informed consent, playing on historical racial sensitivities. The substantial funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) for Madhi’s unit and Wits university is scrutinized, suggesting potential conflicts of interest and a loss of academic freedom. The article questions the rapid timeline of the vaccine development, citing discrepancies in reporting and the rushed nature of trials. It criticizes the Oxford vaccine candidate, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, suggesting it may be ineffective and poses risks of genetic mutations. The approval process in South Africa is deemed questionable due to alleged redactions. The authors question the trial design, particularly the small number of HIV-positive participants, and suggest financial motivations, including potential “double dipping” with HIV research funds. They also point to early publications from AstraZeneca as evidence of pre-determined outcomes and disregard for participant safety. The article alludes to a follow-up exploring the role of Serum Institute of India and AstraZeneca.

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