Originally Posted by
velosnow
It is really China's fault or that of a world bent on endless consumerism and economic expansion? Many of the recent bugs & viruses can be directly traced to human encroachment on wild places and the need for so much meat consumption. World meat consumption has jumped 260% in the last half century. Viruses jumping species is a byproduct of all this progress. Actions have consequences, so we might need to ask ourselves how much is enough?
Genetic analysis of the SARS2 virus, isolates Wuhan being the location of the common ancestor, so the virus originated there in the fall of 2019. There isn't an animal native or consumed for that matter, anywhere close to Wuhan that can be the host for this virus. For example, a tree shrew, that's found a thousand miles away from Wuhan is a very possible candidate. I think the question to ask, is how far scientists should be allowed to go in the study of these viruses, if safety can be compromised like it has in Wuhan China?