Forbes - Covid's natural origins

Plus: How Covid boosted high-end travel

Almost since the pandemic began, politicians and pundits have speculated that since the first cases began near the Wuhan Institute of Virology, the lab itself may be responsible for Covid and the ongoing pandemic. Virologists, however, have long suggested that while a lab release was plausible, it’s much more likely the virus occurred naturally. One big reason? Multiple genetic studies have demonstrated that the virus lacks typical signs of artificial genetic modification.

Now a set of new, detailed - albeit not yet peer-reviewed - studies have bolstered the case for the virus’ natural evolution. The studies also add a lot of evidence to the original suspicion that the pandemic found its origins at the Huanan wholesale market where live animals were sold. As more evidence lines up in favor of the virus transmitting to humans from animals, even some of the scientists who suggested a lab leak was a possibility have changed their mind. These studies aren’t a slam dunk for the case it all began at the Huanan market, but combined with many, many other studies, alternatives to this hypothesis are going to need a lot of evidentiary ammunition to make their case. 

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