Does a picture being shared on social media prove that COVID-19 tests are being used to cause cancer in the general population? No, that's not true: The image just shows a list of different COVID-19 diagnostic tests available, with the names of their manufacturers. No elements in the list or the picture indicate that they have been used to harm people. COVID-19 tests are safe and do not pose any significant risks when used according to the manufacturer's test instructions.
The claim appeared in a TikTok video (archived here) published by user katarina4618 on November 21, 2023. It opened (translated to English from Croatian by Lead Stories staff):
What are *Onkologic sistem and *Spike protein doing in a CO*VID test. Guys, are they trying to give us cancer through tests as well?
This is what the post looked like on TikTok at the time of writing:
(Source: TikTok screenshot taken on Fri Nov 24 11:34:21 2023 UTC)
The TikTok video shows a picture of COVID-19 In vitro diagnostic medical devices and test methods database published by the European Commission. It is taken from a database that collects all publicly available information on the performance of CE-marked in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDs) - tests - as well as laboratory-developed devices and related test methods for COVID-19.
In the picture, two names are marked in red: The first one is Oncosem Onkolojik Sistemler San. ve Tic. A.S. The TikTok video overlay suggests that the word "onkolojik" is proof that COVID-19 tests are being used "to give people cancer." There is no such proof: Oncosem Onkolojik Sistemler San. ve Tic. A.S. is just the test manufacturer's name. It is a Turkish medical company that provides services for the preparation and administration of chemotherapy drugs and specializes in the production of "consumables, medical devices, diagnostic products, and protective equipment," according to the description on its website. The company produced a CRT COVID-19 RAPID TEST. The test is to be used as an aid in the diagnosis of coronavirus infection disease (COVID-19), which is caused by 2019-nCoV.
Also marked in red is the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Test Kit (Fluorescence Immunoassay), manufactured by Shenzhen Microprofit Biotech Co. Ltd. It is a Chinese high-tech enterprise that specializes in producing (POC) tests using immunofluorescence quantitative assay platform, to monitor and for the prognosis of human diseases. The company produced an antigen test intended to identify if a person has an active SARS-CoV-2 infection. Spike protein is one of the antigens in the SARS-CoV-2 virus, along with nucleocapsid protein and phosphoprotein. That is why the test is named 'SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Test Kit.'
Lead Stories conducted a Google search (archived here) using the following keywords "Onkolojik Sistemler causes cancer" on November 28, 2023. The search showed no results to corroborate the claim. A Google search (archived here) conducted on the same date with the terms "Spike Protein Test Kit causes cancer" also showed no results to support the claim.
TikTok user katarina4618 has posted different conspiracy theories, such as Pfizer vaccines containing graphene oxide (archived here), global warming being a lie (archived here), or 5G activating pathogens from COVID-19 vaccines in the human body (archived here). Lead Stories debunked here another false claim on HAARP posted by the same user.
Other Lead Stories fact checks on claims related to COVID-19 tests can be found here.
