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.

  • HiddenLife@lemmy.world
    1711·
    15 hours ago

    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.

    https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/cia-shifts-assessment-covid-origins-saying-lab-leak-likely-caused-outb-rcna189284

    • rusticus@lemm.ee
      185·
      14 hours ago

      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.

      • lmmarsano@lemmynsfw.comEnglish
        71·
        14 hours ago

        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?

        • rusticus@lemm.ee
          5·
          13 hours ago

          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.

          • lmmarsano@lemmynsfw.comEnglish
            12·
            10 hours ago

            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.

            • rusticus@lemm.ee
              31·
              11 hours ago

              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.

              • lmmarsano@lemmynsfw.comEnglish
                13·
                10 hours ago

                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 🤷.

                  • Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world
                    12·
                    9 hours ago

                    This nature article has the title

                    Wuhan lab samples hold no close relatives to virus behind COVID

                    But you previously claimed

                    All sequence data, wild type virus, and previous research history clearly show this virus existed in nature

                    Which is it?

                  • lmmarsano@lemmynsfw.comEnglish
                    11·
                    9 hours ago

                    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.

      • Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world
        48·
        10 hours ago

        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.