Covid․gov now points to a ‘lab leak’ conspiracy website
The Trump administration continues pushing the lab leak theory.
That’s just wild. The one silver lining to T2 is that I’m not shocked by anything anymore. It’s still outrageous, but the surprise is gone.
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It is insane how many comments here believe that humans somehow made COVID-19 in a lab and leaked it. It is obvious and clear that the critical sequences responsible for the jump to humans exist in wild type form in nature. In fact, the critical spike protein sequence is so similar between coronavirus that the antigen work which the vaccine was based upon was done BEFORE COVID-19 in Jason McClellan’s lab at Dartmouth.
This WILL happen again, and conspiracy theories that have now shut down labs and funding are likely to cause millions of lost lives next time. We got lucky and the tinfoil hats are going to guarantee we’ll be unlucky next time.
Yeah, I used to believe that too. Until I read how irresponsible these scientists were. Before the outbreak, they were planning to release an enhanced version into bat caves filled with bats to observe how the coronavirus mutated. They were infecting bats in the lab with coronavirus. Nobody said they created this from scratch, but they could have definitely helped evolution along. Even the CIA suspects it could have been a lab leak. I think the problem is that thinking it is "man-made" is hard for many, but it's not difficult to believe that the evolution of the virus was influenced by humans.
it’s not difficult to believe that the evolution of the virus was influenced by humans.
Only for the ignorant. This is how research has worked for decades. Even the CIA (who are not scientists) have "low confidence". Since when does "low confidence" mean it happened or you believe it??
All sequence data, wild type virus, and previous research history clearly show this virus existed in nature and because it is a highly mutable RNA virus, was able to infect humans. No credible scientist says otherwise. Let's be clear - if they were studying the virus in a lab and it "got out" from the lab or from the wild what difference does it make? This is NOT a man made virus and to make the leap to that is just plain ignorance.
So the ignorant human response is to shut down all research on viruses because of the fear of it being "man made". The result? When this happens again in 3 or 100 years (which it will), we will have no R&D to lean on LIKE WE DID FOR THE COVID19 VACCINE. We've ALREADY discovered a number of viruses in the wild that are likely to mutate and cause another pandemic. We should be celebrating research because the previous decade of work on antigen presentation of the spike protein gave us a vaccine in 11 months that we would otherwise likely not have EVEN TODAY.
I guess this is why ancient civilizations had human sacrifice when there was an eclipse. The stupid scared ignorant people determined public policy.
Let’s be clear - if they were studying the virus in a lab and it “got out” from the lab or from the wild what difference does it make?
Firmer policies & enforcement of safety protocols? Informed selection of safety protocols?
These things already happen to an insane degree, which is good. Others are using this argument to either jump to the conclusion that it's man made or that we should shut down all coronavirus research. There is a clear distinction between these thoughts that are being intentionally blurred by those with an agenda.
We ought to be vigilant about leaping to conclusions or letting biases creep in, and I can't control others doing that.
Contrary to these things happening to an insane degree, it's not clear the laboratories in question took adequate precautions.
Concerns about biosafety standards first caught my notice with this report stating that the laboratory may have been working with coronavirus at inappropriate biosafety levels as low as 2 (eg, unblocked respiratory paths of infection). Questioning the source (even though it seems coherent), I noticed other corroborating reports with references. If the reports are true, then these laboratories in the Wuhan Institute worked with infectious coronaviruses at inappropriate biosafety levels lower than their US counterparts.
Okay you’ve refused to acknowledge or read my more important points so it appears you don’t want a conversation with perseverations on your agenda. Good luck.
I don't know what logically led you to that conclusion. Maybe you ought to self-reflect & work on your own biases/not jump to conclusions?
I'm linking to supporting references, and you're not, so 🤷.
other corroborating reports with references
A YouTube video and an opinion piece lol. How about a Nature article?
This nature article has the title
But you previously claimed
All sequence data, wild type virus, and previous research history clearly show this virus existed in nature
Which is it?
A YouTube video and an opinion piece lol.
News investigation & report quoting correspondence between biosafety experts/researchers & their letters to journals?
a Nature article
Paywalled & also in the news section?
It's possible despite lax biosafety, they didn't leak the virus & didn't have it. Based on what little I can read of the article: the word of a person at the center of the matter may be true; however, that's considerable weight for their word to carry that leaves doubt over impartiality & independence. Findings of an independent monitor/investigation would be more convincing.
All sequence data, wild type virus, and previous research history clearly show this virus existed in nature
This is an exaggeration. There was a strain logged that was 96% similar (BatCoV RaTG13) but this lacked the proteins at the S1/S2 furin cleavage site.
This is NOT a man made virus
But it could be a man influenced virus.
we will have no R&D to lean on LIKE WE DID FOR THE COVID19 VACCINE
Vaccine research does not require gain of function studies.
Lol. ANY molecular biology research involves plasmids, which is the prime example of "gain of function". It's the cornerstone of molecular genetics for the last 40 years.
https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00991-0 https://eprints.gla.ac.uk/250304/1/250304.pdf
You are out of your league dude. Stop spreading lies.
And you believe that batshit?
Absolutely batffling...
It is obvious and clear that the critical sequences responsible for the jump to humans exist in wild type form in nature.
In theory. In practice no evidence of these stages has been found.
However it would be feasible to simulate the conditions required in a lab environment.
Controlled funding for gain of function research does not mean all lab work should stop.
Let me know how "gain of function" research is different than using plasmids. I'll wait.
