KUALA LUMPUR – The new Covid-19 strains suddenly surging worldwide are not “mischief” variants created in laboratories, said a microbiologist, contrary to what conspiracy theorists want the public to believe.
Social media is rife with speculation regarding the sudden spike in Covid-19 variants, especially concerning the current escalating pandemic situation in South Asia.
One post claimed that the new strains are the work of genetic hackers looking to wipe out the subcontinent’s coveted pole position as the world’s top supplier of IT talent and other technology-related skills and services.
However, leading microbiologist Prof Dr Zamberi Sekawi begs to differ.
Speaking to The Vibes, Dr Zamberi said it is not likely that the new Covid-19 strains are produced in laboratories as they can be easily detected by molecular virologists and immediately “red-flagged”.
“To create a ‘mischief’ variant, a specific genetic code from the original strain must be first deleted, and the new (malevolent) genetic code inserted.
“To join two pieces of paper, glue is required to make the two pieces stick together.
“A molecular virologist can easily spot this artefact (the glue) sticking out like a sore thumb in any maliciously engineered genetic ‘cut-and-paste’ job,” said the Universiti Putra Malaysia academic.
Asked if local researchers have come across any maliciously engineered variant of Covid-19 or other viruses, Dr Zamberi said this can be determined via whole genome sequencing.
“We carry out ‘random sequencing’ only when a ‘suspect’ cluster or strain shows up in the petri dish, as whole genome sequencing is a difficult and tedious process, and not cost-efficient.”
He said all emerging strains and their variants are constantly monitored and shared in an international scientific database – where samples are studied, and the ones exhibiting peculiar genetic profiles and odd behaviours are singled out.
“(There are) thousands of genetic codes being shared online, and all point to natural mutations of the virus (Covid-19) so far.”
Dr Zamberi said the public must have a correct comprehension of certain terminology that scientists use so as to not get confused when “delinquent messages” are peddled by conspiracy theorists on social media.
He highlighted words like “mutation” and “variant”, saying that they do not mean the same thing.
“A mutation is the process of change that a virus undergoes to survive. A variant is the outcome of that change, and is also known as a ‘mutant’ or ‘mutant strain’.”
Current Covid-19 variants, which have also been recorded in Malaysia, are the South African strain (B.1.351), United Kingdom strain (B.1.1.7), Nigerian strain (B.1.525), and Indian strain (B.1.617.1) – also known as the “double mutant” variant and is blamed for the current Covid-19 condition in India.
Far-fetched hypothesis
Internationally renowned molecular virologist Prof Sunil K. Lal of Monash University Malaysia told The Vibes that it is possible to genetically “design” virus variants using existing technology.
However, he said it is a far-fetched hypothesis to assume that the new Covid-19 strains are from unnatural sources.
“These variants are emerging independently due to the active replication cycles that this virus is going through.”
By the end of last year, there were approximately 12,000 mutations documented for SARS-CoV-2, he added.
“This is the rate at which the virus is mutating, and it is a natural phenomenon of the virus.
“Studies have shown that 360 of these mutations have been beneficial for the virus in its life cycle.”
However, he emphasised that this should not be confused with the emerging variants. Only when a strain has a different phenotype or physical property – such as a difference in antigenicity, transmissibility or virulence – will it be classified as a “new variant”.
He agreed that virologists can detect “errant variants” using molecular techniques, but said that it is “a long-drawn-out and tedious process, far from being child’s play”.
On the coronavirus situation in India, he said although the country is overwhelmed, scientists are actively sequencing the genome.
“The more you sequence, the more variants you will find.
“It is like excavating a treasure site; the more you dig, the more you will find,” he quipped, putting to rest conspiracy theories on social media. – The Vibes, May 11, 2021
