Raul Rabadan joins TWiV to explain the use of computational biology to demonstrate how recombination and mutation led to emergence of SARS-CoV-2.
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Show notes at microbe.tv/twiv
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Research done by Raul and his team is great and I hope we will get some definite answers. Great podcast! After listening to this I am wondering how is it possible that the mutation would happen in an “unfavorable” direction (in a bat) and still last? As would be the case with ACE2 RBD mutating in bats.
Another question: why artificial recombination is a ruled out hypothesis? Just the existence of the mechanism in nature doesn’t rule it out? I understand that this hypothesis carries some emotional burden and also probably is last on the list after all the possible recombination paths are not confirmed, but still isn’t it a duty of a scientist to consider all possible paths, isn’t it? My understanding from listening to the podcast is that there is a definite gap in our knowledge since the RBD has recombined “separate” to the rest of the virus.
artificial recombination is ruled out because to state otherwise would be detrimental to future grant/employment opportunities. pfft obviosly.
You idiots have had decades to protect us from this. So either, it escaped from the Wuhan lab, or the billions pump into “gain-of-function” research has been absolutely worthless. Which is it?