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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsExperts debunk fringe theory linking China's coronavirus to weapons research
As China attempts to contain the spread of a new coronavirus that has left more than 100 people dead, rumors and disinformation have spread amid the scramble for answers.
Some of the speculation has centered on a virology institute in Wuhan, the city where the outbreak began. One fringe theory holds that the disaster could be the accidental result of biological weapons research.
But in conversations with The Washington Post, experts rejected the idea that the virus could be man-made.
Based on the virus genome and properties there is no indication whatsoever that it was an engineered virus, said Richard Ebright, a professor of chemical biology at Rutgers University.
Tim Trevan, a biological safety expert based in Maryland, said most countries had largely abandoned their bioweapons research after years of work proved fruitless.
The vast majority of new, nasty diseases are zygotic: They come from nature, he said.
But Soccer Mom Becky posted on Facebook....
rampartc
(5,412 posts)still_one
(92,219 posts)I said, I think, that conclusions like the op are premature.
still_one
(92,219 posts)lack of health standards in illegal markets in China, which are ripe for this kind of occurrence
Kaleva
(36,309 posts)"Based on the virus genome and properties there is no indication whatsoever that it was an engineered virus, said Richard Ebright, a professor of chemical biology at Rutgers University."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/01/29/experts-debunk-fringe-theory-linking-chinas-coronavirus-weapons-research/
Mike 03
(16,616 posts)intentionally released from a maximum security facility and infected snakes that then infected bats that were then eaten by humans--and some people are speculating this was a deliberate plan.
(Why would China want to destroy its own economy?)
Dr. Dean Edell used to say with respect to solving medical mysteries: "When you hear hoofbeats, think horses not zebras."
Arthur_Frain
(1,853 posts)Look, it was a great book, but it was just fiction.