Another Lone Voice

Seven weeks ago, I gave Article 125 a provocative title, Frankenstein’s Virus. Applying Occam’s Razor (Figure 129.1) and my (limited but decent) knowledge of virology to a recent Indian research paper (Pradhan et al., 2020), it struck me as absurdly unlikely that SARS-CoV-2 could have evolved naturally. I was prepared to state, without equivocation, that this virus had been bio-engineered, probably at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which is a stone’s throw from where the outbreak occurred.

Figure 130.1: The origin of the peculiar structure of SARS-CoV-2 demands explanation. It is far removed from other coronaviruses. The theory that its unique elements happened spontaneously, without deliberate molecular intervention, require far too many assumptions to be realistic. Mathematical improbability is too great.

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Since that date, February 28th, I have received numerous emails, most of which stated that I am wrong, scientifically ignorant and unable to cite another scientist who shares my view. To counter the first and second accusations, allow me to counter the third. A few hours ago, Dr Luc Montagnier (Figure 129.2), co-discoverer of the HIV virus in 1983, made the same claim. Despite the ‘man-made’ theory being deliberately ignored by mainstream media, and Pradhan’s honest work being censored in a manic fashion, Nobel Laureate Dr Montagnier stated:

‘ ... to insert (a separate genetic sequence) ... molecular tools are needed, and that can only be done in a laboratory.’

Figure 130.2: French virologist Dr Luc Montagnier (1932-), winner of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

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Dr Montagnier’s knowledge and understanding of virology far exceed my own. Nonetheless, whenever a scientific theory is ridiculed, ignored, censored, and its authors pressurized to withdraw its publication, alarm bells should be heard worldwide by anyone with an open, intelligent mind.

According to Dr Montagnier, the truth will out. I agree; although the extent to which governments and pliable media attempt to suppress unwanted points of view is often staggering. In this case, though, even nefarious politicians will struggle to keep the truth concealed. The genomic structure of parts of SARS-CoV-2 is known. Scientists throughout the world will decide for themselves whether the ‘foreign’ inserts occurred by (near-miraculously) random mutation and subsequent selection, or by laboratory ‘gain-of-function’ design. One day, world leaders, if they are honest, will wonder, also, whether its release was accidental or malicious. I maintain, for now, my initial belief in the former explanation. More crucially, however, there is, as yet, no proof that this virus causes disease and death.

Brave Dr Montagnier is hoping that the Chinese government, if responsible, will come clean. I admire his optimism but I do not share it.

Copyright © 2020 Paul Spradbery