PCR tests, which were considered one of the key diagnostic tools during the coronavirus pandemic, have been criticised not only for their susceptibility to error, but also for their role as the basis for far-reaching political and social measures that have called citizens’ fundamental rights into question. In order to better manage future health crises, it is necessary to address and correct the misuse of these tests. With this in mind, a motion was recently submitted to the South Tyrolean provincial parliament that addresses precisely this issue.
During the pandemic, monitoring the spread of SARS-CoV-2 was at the centre of global efforts. PCR tests were presented as almost infallible, but their use was criticised early on. A key issue was the problem of so-called “false positives” that could arise from the method. Critics such as Torsten Engelbrecht and Konstantin Demeter had already pointed out the weaknesses of these tests on platforms such as Rubikon and OffGuardian in 2020.
The PCR method is based on the polymerase chain reaction, in which DNA samples are amplified. As SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA virus, it must first be converted into complementary DNA. A decisive parameter in this procedure is the so-called CT value (cycle threshold), which indicates how many cycles are performed before a test is considered positive. However, high CT values can lead to false positive results, as they can also detect minimal traces of the virus that are clinically irrelevant.
In January 2021, the World Health Organisation (WHO) pointed out that test results with high CT values are not reliable and should therefore not form the basis for diagnoses. The WHO also recommended that laboratories should state the CT value in their test results. Despite these guidelines, many laboratories still do not adhere to them, which goes largely unnoticed by both the public and political decision-makers.
In a motion to the South Tyrolean provincial parliament, Renate Holzeisen, lawyer and member of parliament, called for laboratories to be obliged to disclose the CT value and the PCR test product used in the test results. Without this information, the informative value of the tests is severely limited and should not be used as a basis for political or medical measures.
The significance of this requirement lies in the fact that a scientifically inadequately applied test can lead to false results. These “false positive cases” are not only irrelevant for the assessment of an actual infection, but can also have fatal consequences: Political measures such as lockdowns or compulsory vaccination have often been decided on the basis of such results. The introduction of Covid-19 vaccines was also closely linked to the test results. Critics argue that unreliable test results contributed significantly to the official portrayal of the pandemic.
One particularly controversial example is the Corman-Drosten PCR protocol from 2020, which set a cycle count of up to 45 and thus led to a high number of false positive results. Scientists such as Ulrike Kämmerer and Michael Yeadon sharply criticised this procedure and accused it of lacking a scientific basis. Nevertheless, it formed an essential basis for the declaration of the pandemic by the WHO on 30 January 2020 and for numerous political measures worldwide.
Although it was known that a PCR test is not reliable without a clinical examination, it continued to be presented as an indispensable tool. This led to a considerable loss of trust in public health authorities and their measures. In her motion, Holzeisen emphasised the need for transparency in the performance of tests. It is unacceptable that laboratories continue to deliver inaccurate results without disclosing basic information such as the CT value.
European policymakers and national health authorities are called upon to learn from these mistakes and ensure that diagnostics are scientifically sound. Only through transparency and standardisation can future pandemics be managed without unnecessary restrictions on civil rights.
The discussion about the misuse of PCR tests clearly shows how important it is to adhere to scientific standards and base political decisions on reliable foundations. The motion in the South Tyrolean provincial parliament represents an important step towards addressing these problems and restoring confidence in public health measures. However, as long as these issues are not fully clarified, the risk of repeating similar mistakes in future crises remains.
Source:
South Tyrolean Parliament: Proposed resolution no. 216/25-XVII – 17 January 2025
Tietel image: www.rtl.de
