In Wednesday statement, Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo repeated his claims that DNA fragments used to develop the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine could integrate into human DNA

Escalating his controversial criticism of vaccine technology, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo called Wednesday for a halt in administering mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, based on a theory that has been refuted repeatedly by global regulatory agencies and health organizations.

In a statement issued on his state department website, Ladapo repeated claims he first made last month that DNA fragments used in the development of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine could integrate into human DNA, causing a range of side effects including cancer. He alleged that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not adequately assessed these risks.

“If the risks of DNA integration have not been assessed for mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, these vaccines are not appropriate for use in human beings,” Ladapo said.

The problem with Ladapo’s claim — and his new call for a halt in use — is that there’s no evidence to suggest DNA integration is happening through the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines or even that it could happen.