This is all so tragically reminiscent of the science-denying conspiracy theories that arose during PCR's first widespread public health and clinical triumph, HIV detection. While PCR is not much used as a primary testing mechanism for HIV, it's a crucial tool for assessing viral load in patients, which lets clinicians adjust medication to effectively suppress HIV, stop illness progression, and critically, STOP FUTURE TRANSMISSION.

PCR testing has been amazingly effective in both individual treatment and public health campaigns. In many places, HIV has been stopped in its tracks because of how well PCR works.

Nevertheless, conspiracy theorists have always (and to this day) popped up with ludicrous theories about why PCR doesn't work. Often, these are the same players, or descended ideologically from the same players, who deny HIV causes AIDS.

Sadly, facts and data seem not to matter to people invested in the notion that their pet theory is the real deal while every trained expert in the field is wrong.