tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
mBio
. 2023 Mar 10;e0036523.
doi: 10.1128/mbio.00583-23. Online ahead of print.
A critical analysis of the evidence for the SARS-CoV-2 origin hypotheses
James C Alwine[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Arturo Casadevall[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Lynn W Enquist[SUP] 2 4 [/SUP], Felicia D Goodrum[SUP] 2 5 [/SUP], Michael J Imperiale[SUP] 6 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
When humans experience a new, devastating viral infection such as SARS-CoV-2, significant challenges arise. How should individuals as well as societies respond to the situation? One of the primary questions concerns the origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that infected and was transmitted efficiently among humans resulting in a pandemic. At first glance, the question appears straightforward to answer. However, the origin of SARS-CoV-2 has been the topic of substantial debate primarily because we do not have access to some relevant data. At least two major hypotheses have been suggested: a natural origin through zoonosis followed by sustained human-to-human spread or the introduction of a natural virus into humans from a laboratory source. Here, we summarize the scientific evidence that informs this debate to provide our fellow scientists and the public with the tools to join the discussion in a constructive and informed manner. Our goal is to dissect the evidence to make it more accessible to those interested in this important problem. The engagement of a broad representation of scientists is critical to ensure that the public and policy makers can draw on relevant expertise in navigating this controversy.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Zoonosis; coronavirus; lab leak; origin.
. 2023 Mar 10;e0036523.
doi: 10.1128/mbio.00583-23. Online ahead of print.
A critical analysis of the evidence for the SARS-CoV-2 origin hypotheses
James C Alwine[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Arturo Casadevall[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Lynn W Enquist[SUP] 2 4 [/SUP], Felicia D Goodrum[SUP] 2 5 [/SUP], Michael J Imperiale[SUP] 6 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 36897098
- DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00583-23
Abstract
When humans experience a new, devastating viral infection such as SARS-CoV-2, significant challenges arise. How should individuals as well as societies respond to the situation? One of the primary questions concerns the origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that infected and was transmitted efficiently among humans resulting in a pandemic. At first glance, the question appears straightforward to answer. However, the origin of SARS-CoV-2 has been the topic of substantial debate primarily because we do not have access to some relevant data. At least two major hypotheses have been suggested: a natural origin through zoonosis followed by sustained human-to-human spread or the introduction of a natural virus into humans from a laboratory source. Here, we summarize the scientific evidence that informs this debate to provide our fellow scientists and the public with the tools to join the discussion in a constructive and informed manner. Our goal is to dissect the evidence to make it more accessible to those interested in this important problem. The engagement of a broad representation of scientists is critical to ensure that the public and policy makers can draw on relevant expertise in navigating this controversy.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Zoonosis; coronavirus; lab leak; origin.