Does PCR Amplify DNA?

ESR believes it does

Looking into the pseudoscience around virology opens up new areas to investigate. We all have heard about PCR and probably Kerry Mullis. How many of us just accepted PCR does what it claims to do?

One incredible thinker asked the question, does PCR actually amplify DNA? This person goes by the name TAM and investigated the PCR technology including its origin. Read it here.

OIA for PCR

Based on TAM’s analysis, I decided to inquire with the organisation that specialises in genetic sequencing here in New Zealand ESR.

I asked for the following:

Any records in the possession, custody or control of the ESR that scientifically proves using the scientific method that Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) creates copies of DNA segments.

ESR provided a response fairly promptly with the following:

ESR accepts that PCR amplifies specific regions of DNA based on nearly forty years of published international scientific experience of the technique. We also participate in external quality assurance schemes that use PCR and obtain concordance with the expected results and many of the PCR tests that we use are IANZ accredited.

ESR has no document that proves PCR creates copies of DNA. We cannot provide you with this document as it does not exist at ESR. We accordingly rely on section 18(e) of the Act.

You can download the full OIA Response here.

To summarise, ESR simply believes PCR amplifies DNA but has no scientific publications proving PCR amplifies DNA.

PCR Challenge

PCR detects the synthetic molecules injected with fluorescence ‘tags’. So by design, PCR doesn’t actually detect DNA if you understand the technology. I propose a control experiment using sealed PCR test kits that never mix in any external material.

All that is needed is a PCR Device, and many PCR test kits (for influenza A/B, SARS-COV-2, measles, random DNA sequences, etc). The experiment should run many of the test kits at various cycle counts.

My hypothesis is that the PCR devices will indeed report detection invalidating the PCR process all together. How can it be that PCR reports a positive when only the test kit was used on the device?

The answer is that PCR devices do not detect DNA but instead only detects the synthetic molecules fused with fluorescence tags. The results will be like rolling the dice where sometimes its high and sometimes it is low due to the heating process of PCR.

This experiment will require a considerable amount of money - maybe $20k to $30k USD for the equipment. But surely any laboratory that already has PCR devices and ‘test kits’ could easily run this experiment proving to themselves that PCR doesn’t amplify anything.

Who is willing to take this challenge?