Submission + - The genetic structure of SARSCoV2 does not rule out a laboratory origin (nih.gov)
“The furin cleavage site in the spike protein of SARSCoV2 confers to the virus the ability to cross species and tissue barriers, but was previously unseen in other SARSlike CoVs. Might genetic manipulations have been performed in order to evaluate pangolins as possible intermediate hosts for batderived CoVs that were originally unable to bind to human receptors?”
“Both cleavage site and specific RBD could result from sitedirected mutagenesis, a procedure that does not leave a trace. Considering the devastating impact of SARSCoV2 and importance of preventing future pandemics, researchers have a responsibility to carry out a thorough analysis of all possible SARSCoV2 origins.”