If I understand it correctly, the Anderson et al study[1] basically said, “We looked at all (3?) noteworthy genetic features and they’re definitely naturally evolved and non-optimal for infecting humans.”
This study seems to draw the exact opposite conclusion.
OP here, I can't post a comment here anymore, just replies, since this submission was flagged.
It is important from the outset to unequivocally clarify that no one is claiming intentional release of the Covid-19 virus. Both the researchers on the forthcoming paper and the former director of MI6 who bought the study to light say that intentional release is highly unlikely.
The research on the origin of viral outbreaks is scenario probabilities at best and speculative fiction at worst. The main takeaway of this paper is to highlight the risks of lab virus research. Earlier, I had posted in April about US diplomatic cables highlighting the lack of safety at the Wuhan lab (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22868580).
We are looking at million deaths and tens of trillions in damage. As a civilization have to come to collective decision that virus research with even the slightest risk of accidental release is catastrophic. Most people including the Chinese seem to be in no mood to even consider the possibility let alone take corrective measures.
So many viruses have jumped to humans in the past. It's all very well documented in the book Spillover.
The reason we as the public are mostly ignorant about those zoonosis events is mostly luck. Most experts have been issuing warning about this catastrophe for years. I'm only surprised we haven't had such an outbreak before.
If I understand it correctly, the Anderson et al study[1] basically said, “We looked at all (3?) noteworthy genetic features and they’re definitely naturally evolved and non-optimal for infecting humans.”
This study seems to draw the exact opposite conclusion.
1. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-0820-9
The "This week in virology" people [1] in episode 609 [2] also dismiss the idea that the virus is "man-made".
Edit: Of course it is very important to know who is right.
[1] https://www.microbe.tv/twiv/
[2] https://overcast.fm/+HPbtHwvQ/13:25
OP here, I can't post a comment here anymore, just replies, since this submission was flagged.
It is important from the outset to unequivocally clarify that no one is claiming intentional release of the Covid-19 virus. Both the researchers on the forthcoming paper and the former director of MI6 who bought the study to light say that intentional release is highly unlikely.
The research on the origin of viral outbreaks is scenario probabilities at best and speculative fiction at worst. The main takeaway of this paper is to highlight the risks of lab virus research. Earlier, I had posted in April about US diplomatic cables highlighting the lack of safety at the Wuhan lab (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22868580).
We are looking at million deaths and tens of trillions in damage. As a civilization have to come to collective decision that virus research with even the slightest risk of accidental release is catastrophic. Most people including the Chinese seem to be in no mood to even consider the possibility let alone take corrective measures.
So many viruses have jumped to humans in the past. It's all very well documented in the book Spillover.
The reason we as the public are mostly ignorant about those zoonosis events is mostly luck. Most experts have been issuing warning about this catastrophe for years. I'm only surprised we haven't had such an outbreak before.