Scientist Works on GM Viruses for Vaccines, Gets Sick, Sues, Wins $1.37 Million

by Heidi Stevenson

3 April 2010

Becky McClain is a scientist who worked for Pfizer to engineer viruses for vaccines. She was accidentally infected by a genetically modified (GM) form of a lentivirus, which is similar to the AIDS-related virus. She is completely paralyzed intermittently, so she spoke out about concerns for lack of safety at work. She was fired. She sued and won $1.37 million for wrongful termination.

Pfizer claimed that McClain, who is a molecular biologist in Deep River, Connecticut, was fired for refusing to go to work, and that she refused to accept other assignments when her work quality deteriorated because of her illness. Pfizer also claimed that her disability was unrelated to her work. Her lawsuit claimed that it was for complaining about faulty safety equipment. The jury believed her side of the story and awarded $1.37 million for the attempt to silence her, and may also receive another $2.25 million for punitive damages and to pay the legal bills.

In this particular tale, I must admit to being conflicted. On the one hand, a Big Pharma corporation tried to shut an employee up for speaking out about lack of on-the-job safety. On the other, the scientist herself was working on genetically engineering viruses. Could she realistically expect safety in such a job? Did she even consider the risks to which she was willing to place people with her GM monstrosities?

The genetically engineered virus is believed to have interfered with her body's potassium processing function. That is particularly incriminating, as it indicates that Pfizer is playing games with extremely risky genes. The potassium balance in the body is critical, affecting every aspect of metabolism, from the ability of nerves to pass signals to affecting blood pressure to keeping an appropriate water balance.

More to This Story Than Mainstream Media Covers

There is far more to this story than mainstream media is reporting. They're making it sound like this is merely an incident of trying to keep a worker quiet. However, I find it very difficult to be sympathetic to a person who trying to genetically modify viruses for the purpose of injecting them, or parts of them, into children. Where was her voice before she was infected? Didn't she think that it's possible for such an event to happen? Even now, she hasn't said anything to indicate that she's thought about anything other than her own skin.

The President of the Council for Responsible Genetics, Jeremy Gruber, has said in regard to the trial:

If a worker in a plant as sophisticated as Pfizer is becoming infected with a genetically engineered virus, then I think the potential is everywhere. Genetically engineered viruses are commonly worked on at your average university. The public has a right to know what regulations are in place and what regulations are required to fix an industrywide issue. We need to have a conversation about this. Ms. McClain's attempt to do that has been hampered at every turn, by the courts and by regulators.

That's fine, as far as it goes—but Gruber hasn't touched on the implications for this sort of experimentation, and the fact that what happened to McClain is a clear demonstration of just how serious the implications are.

McClain's job was to manipulate genetic code to develop vaccines. This is the wave of the future in vaccines. At what point will such a genetically engineered virus be injected into our children by "accident"?

By the way, there is no cure for Ms. McClain's condition, other than taking massive quantities of potassium. If Pfizer knows anything that might help her, she'll probably never be told. The company is claiming that trademark law gives them the right to refuse to turn over information, even if it might mean the difference between life and death or a life worth living.

Pfizer's response to the verdict was:

We are disappointed with the verdict and do not believe the facts of this case warrant the conclusion reached by the jury. Pfizer is committed to protecting the health and safety of our colleagues and the communities in which we operate.

In addition to our commitment to full compliance with environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, we have company-wide policies, standards, and programs combined with site-level management systems and initiatives tailored to the particular safety issues and needs at each location.

Yeah. Right. That and a penny will get you a wish in a fountain. Without question, Ms. McClain is merely the first person to have been infected like this. With Pfizer's attitude, and that of the industry in general, she surely won't be the last.

What do you think? Click here to comment!