Alarming Chinese Experiment with Deadly COVID Strain Sparks Global Concern.

In a controversial move, Chinese scientists have conducted experiments on a novel coronavirus strain, GX_P2V, resulting in a staggering 100% fatality rate in genetically modified mice. This development, emerging from Beijing, has ignited a firestorm in the scientific community, raising serious questions about the risks and ethics of virus experimentation.

A scientist works in the lab of Linqi Zhang on research into novel coronavirus disease. Beijing, China, March 30, 2020.

It’s important to note that some of the findings mentioned in this article are based on preprint, which are preliminary research papers not yet peer-reviewed.

The Experiment's Findings:

GX_P2V, a mutation of the GX/2017 virus found in Malaysian pangolins, demonstrated a swift and lethal impact on mice engineered to mimic human genetic structures. The virus aggressively attacked multiple organs, including the brain, leading to rapid health deterioration and death within eight days. Notably, all infected mice succumbed to the virus, marking a significantly higher mortality rate compared to previous studies on related viruses.

Study Outcomes and Implications:

While the implications for human health remain unclear, the study's authors emphasize the potential spillover risk of GX_P2V into human populations. The experiment provides a unique model for understanding pathogenic mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2-related viruses, though its relevance to humans is yet to be determined.

Criticism from the Scientific Community:

The study has been met with fierce criticism. Francois Balloux of University College London condemned the research as "scientifically pointless" and potentially hazardous. Dr. Gennadi Glinsky, a retired professor, echoed these concerns, calling for an immediate halt to such "madness." Critics argue that the benefits of the study do not outweigh the potential risks.

It's a terrible study, scientifically totally pointless. I can see nothing of vague interest that could be learned from force-infecting a weird breed of humanised mice with a random virus. Conversely, I could see how such stuff might go wrong.

Separation from Wuhan Research:

This study is distinct from the research conducted in Wuhan, which fueled various theories about the origins of COVID-19. The origin of the pandemic remains a mystery, but this new study adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing debate about virus experimentation.

The experiments in Beijing with the lethal GX_P2V strain have set off alarm bells in the global scientific community. The high mortality rate in modified mice and the potential risks associated with such experiments underscore the need for stringent ethical oversight and risk assessment in virus research. As scientists and policymakers grapple with the implications of this study, it serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between scientific exploration and public safety.

Reference : Lethal Infection of Human ACE2-Transgenic Mice Caused by SARS-CoV-2-related Pangolin Coronavirus GX_P2V(short_3UTR)