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

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

Holmes, E. C., Goldstein, S. A., Rasmussen, A. L., et al. (2021) The origins of SARS-CoV-2: A critical review. Cell, 184(19), 4848–4856. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2021.08.017

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.