MUScoop > COVID-19
New evidence of COVID's origins
Pakuni:
For three years now, the debate over the origins of the coronavirus pandemic has ping-ponged between two big ideas: that SARS-CoV-2 spilled into human populations directly from a wild-animal source, and that the pathogen leaked from a lab. Through a swirl of data obfuscation by Chinese authorities and politicalization within the United States, and rampant speculation from all corners of the world, many scientists have stood by the notion that this outbreak—like most others—had purely natural roots. But that hypothesis has been missing a key piece of proof: genetic evidence from the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, China, showing that the virus had infected creatures for sale there.
PThis week, an international team of virologists, genomicists, and evolutionary biologists may have finally found crucial data to help fill that knowledge gap. A new analysis of genetic sequences collected from the market shows that raccoon dogs being illegally sold at the venue could have been carrying and possibly shedding the virus at the end of 2019. It’s some of the strongest support yet, experts told me, that the pandemic began when SARS-CoV-2 hopped from animals into humans, rather than in an accident among scientists experimenting with viruses.
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2023/03/covid-origins-research-raccoon-dogs-wuhan-market-lab-leak/673390/
tower912:
I just finished reading that and was pondering posting it.
This is several data points. It is not a smoking gun. The smoking gun will likely not be found.
MU Fan in Connecticut:
I saw this story this morning also.
I think the best part is "racoon dogs" which in of itself sounds like a mutation.
mu_hilltopper:
I've tried to care. If we ever found the 100% truth, it wouldn't change anything.
The virus began in China, either through negligence, malfeasance, or the galactic stupidity of allowing wet markets.
The one unifying theme is that China has brought catastrophic misery upon the world.
Skatastrophy:
--- Quote from: mu_hilltopper on March 17, 2023, 07:42:27 AM ---I've tried to care. If we ever found the 100% truth, it wouldn't change anything.
The virus began in China, either through negligence, malfeasance, or the galactic stupidity of allowing wet markets.
The one unifying theme is that China has brought catastrophic misery upon the world.
--- End quote ---
I don't blame them for wet markets. I blame them for hiding the impact of the infection once it jumped to humans. Unconscionable.
Wet markets can be found globally. Gain of function research is extremely valuable. Keeping mum about people dying is hard for me to understand when it comes to communicating with other gov't/scientific organizations. Fine, don't panic the people, but China hid everything from us and that was wholly under their control no matter where the virus jumped to humans first.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version