The trouble with a Nobel for mRNA COVID vaccines

Why in the News?

The Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine, 2023 was given to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman for developing the mRNA vaccine technology.

The mRNA technology developed by the awardees:

1. messenger RNA (mRNA) is a template used for protein production when genetic information encoded in DNA is transferred to it.
2. Proteins are the main structural component of cells which plays a key role in growth and repair.
3. During the 1980s, in-vitro transcription method was developed which permitted the idea of using mRNA for vaccine and therapy.
4. Karikó worked on developing mRNA for therapy despite challenges in delivery and inflammatory reactions and immunologist Weissman joined the work later.
5.  In 2005, by making base modifications to the mRNA they managed to ease delivery paths and get rid of the inflammatory reactions. 
6. In 2019, the scientists taught the mRNA vaccine to instruct human cells to make the S protein found on the surface of the COVID-19 virus.
7. This caused the body to create antibodies which will fight the virus if the individual were to contract the infection. 

Significance of the Work:

1. The technology became the foundation for history’s fastest vaccine development programme during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. The Nobel prize for Medicine has been awarded for a discovery that renders ‘greatest benefit on mankind’, which was done by the mRNA.
3. Recognition of contribution of a woman of science:

• 13 women have now won the Nobel Prize for Medicine (out of 225 awarded); and only 62 women have won any Nobel Prize (against 894 men) so far.

What were the down side of mRNA COVID vaccines:

1. ‘Double spend’ imposed on the Consumers:
   1. most new drugs and vaccines development happens at the expense of governments and public funds, which are taxes paid by the public.
   2. Post patent/license acquisition, companies commoditise and commercialise these entities registering huge profits at the expense of the same people whose taxes funded the fundamental research.
2. It fell short of targets such as
   1. Poorer countries became the victims of their subpar purchasing power.
   2. Did not have sufficient stocks of mRNA vaccines.