Genetic Vaccines

Genetic vaccines use pieces of genetic material—like DNA or messenger RNA (mRNA)—to instruct cells in the body to produce a specific protein found on a virus. This protein then triggers the immune system to recognize and build defenses against the actual virus, without causing illness. Once injected, the genetic code is read by the body's cells, leading to an immune response. These vaccines are rapid to develop, highly effective, and have been successfully used in combating diseases like COVID-19 (e.g., Pfizer and Moderna vaccines). They represent a new approach that harnesses our body's own cells to fight disease more efficiently.