The origins of SARS-CoV-2: A critical review

Edward C. Holmes, Stephen A. Goldstein, Angela L. Rasmussen, David L. Robertson, Alexander Crits-Christoph, Joel O. Wertheim, Simon J. Anthony, Wendy S. Barclay, Maciej F. Boni, Peter C. Doherty, Jeremy Farrar, Jemma L. Geoghegan, Xiaowei Jiang, Julian L. Leibowitz, Stuart J.D. Neil, Tim Skern, Susan R. Weiss, Michael Worobey, Kristian G. Andersen, Robert F. GarryAndrew Rambaut

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

342 Scopus citations

Abstract

Since the first reports of a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-like coronavirus in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, there has been intense interest in understanding how severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in the human population. Recent debate has coalesced around two competing ideas: a “laboratory escape” scenario and zoonotic emergence. Here, we critically review the current scientific evidence that may help clarify the origin of SARS-CoV-2.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4848-4856
Number of pages9
JournalCell
Volume184
Issue number19
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 16 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • evolution
  • origins
  • zoonosis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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