After the first few thousands of confirmed novel coronavirus cases in the world, conspiracy theorists were quick to assume that COVID-19 was a bio-weapon, a man-made virus created by enemy nations to put the world at its mercy.
The theory soon became prominent that even some politicians believed it, and a few Chinese researchers in Canada were accused of being spies. But, science debunked the theory and confirmed that no, the novel coronavirus is NOT man-made.
Coronavirus is NOT a Bio-Weapon
Forbes has cited perspective pieces that were authored by David Morens, Peter Daszak, and Jeffrey K. Taubenberger, saying that the novel coronavirus infecting the world today closely resembles "those of viruses silently circulating bats."
Additionally, a report by Modern Healthcare confirmed that the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 came from naturally occurring strains and was backed up by a new comparative genomic analysis.
One of the authors who is a microbiology and immunology researcher with the Scripps Research Translational Institute and the Scripps Research Institute, Kristian Andersen, said in a statement: "By comparing the available genome sequence data for known coronavirus strains, we can firmly determine that SARS-CoV-2 originated through natural processes."
The group of researchers was also able to analyze the genetic sequences that code the protein spikes that are seen on the surface of the coronavirus.
What the Protein Spikes Do
The SARS-CoV-2 virus includes "spikes" sticking out from the surface, much like a mace from the medieval times, and it turns out those spike proteins were the virus's weapon to attack a healthy cell.
The protein spikes, which is incredibly effective in targeting particular receptors in the human cell, is what makes it impossible for any man to replicate the virus, thus concluding the virus itself evolved naturally over time.
Researchers from Hangzhou, China, found out how the protein spikes work.
Based on a report by the New York Post, the researchers discovered that the binding pattern of the novel coronavirus is similar to the coronavirus that caused SARS.
However, there is the researchers have also detected a difference in the amino acids that bind the viruses to the receptor cells, and they believe this could potentially help in the development of a vaccine that could stop COVID-19.
A Brutal Battle
Meanwhile, a report by the South China Morning Post described the war between the immune system and the virus after it was able to navigate past the body's defenses in the form of the mucus that forms in the nose and throat.
According to experts, the virus will disguise itself to avoid detection, and will then find receptor cells to latch onto.
Once it latches to a healthy cell, it will push its way into it, kill it and everything inside, and will then use that cell's machinery to replicate itself.
Experts also suggest that "every part of the immune system is needed to clear this virus."
But the war between the immune system and a new virus is often bloody, as the system can go into overdrive and cause excessive damage to the body, especially when it happens on the lungs, filling it up with dead cells and fluid.
Some patients who recover from COVID-19 can heal, including the lungs. But some can suffer from lasting damages caused by the battle within their bodies.
