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Testbiotech is providing an overview of the continuing discussion on the origin of SARS-CoV-2. The origin of the virus is still not known. Many experts suggest there was direct transmission from wildlife species to humans, but escape from a laboratory also remains a plausible scenario.
Regardless of which theory is correct, finding the origin of the virus is fundamentally important, as both safety in laboratories and the disruption of the wildlife ecosystems are principally human activities, which need to be much more carefully monitored resp. restricted.
In its choice of publications, Testbiotech has paid special attention to those looking at the lab origin theory. The documentation shows that for a long time this was vehemently rejected by several experts. However, in several cases, their position has been shown to be influenced by specific interests.
Meanwhile, this theory is being discussed as one of several plausible possibilities. In this context, one scenario suggests that transmissibility of the virus was optimized in so-called gain-of-function research. The virus might have subsequently unintentionally escaped from a laboratory with insufficient safety standards.
Testbiotech is unable to make any judgements regarding the origin of the virus but is of the opinion that these questions need to be more deeply investigated and discussions well documented.
Further Information:
Selection of publications and reports on the origin of the virus
