Kary Mullis (inventor of PCR) regarded the PCR is an in appropriate method to detect a viral infection because PCR is use to replicate or duplicate DNA sequences millions and billions of times, but not to detect viruses.
COVID-19 patients infected with SARS-COV-2 do not have a valid gold standard for comparing which is a fundamental point. For example it we have to test a new bacterial presence in the sample, we will compare it with already existing pure cultures ( gold standard). But for COVID-19 we don’t have it said by Jessica C. Watson from Bristol university.
- The reason may be due to lack of specific symptoms of COVID-19
- Purification of sample is not done properly so, cannot say that the RNA belongs to COVID-19 only
- PCR can detect smallest pieces of DNA or RNA but cannot determine that from where these particles are from
- Know electron microscopic proof was shown regarding the degree of purification of COVID-19 Virus
Dr. Calisher a seasoned virologist said that PCR can’t tell about
- How virus multiplies
- Which animal carries the virus
- How it makes people sick
And also said that he has not seen a single paper in which SARS-COV-2 has been isolated and really purified.
So finally it can be concluded that RNA gene sequences obtained from COVID-19 Patients are not specifically of SARS-COV-2
