A Critical Review on SARS-CoV-2: Nature or Nurture?

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 belongs to the family of coronaviridae and genus coronavirus and is the causative agent of COVID-19 disease that originated in Wuhan, China, a disease characterized by shortness of breath, severe fever, and cough. Scientists continue to be divided as to the origin of the virus with some scientists proposing the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 as a consequence of evolutionary mutation, implicating the Bat corona virus as a possible ancestor while some scientists propose a laboratory leak and a possible consequence of a laboratory creation. This is further complicated because of the unique polybasic sequence at the furin cleavage site within the S1/S2 spike protein, a characteristic not found in any close family of the SARS-CoV-2, but found in its distant relatives. While the origins of SARS-CoV-2 continue to be a subject of debate, this review is an attempt on the presentation of facts that may give clues as to the origin of the virus and a call for extensive research on the repurposing of drugs apart from Ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine which may be beneficial among low and middle income populations.