This is one of the main fears of scientists since the beginning of the epidemic: the Sars-CoV-2, vector of the Covid-19 disease, will it acquire genetic mutations which could make it even more aggressive ? A Chinese study published at the beginning of the week seems to affirm that it is done. According to its authors, the virus has evolved into two distinct strains, the most virulent of which is also the most widespread.
But this announcement is not at all to the taste of the scientific community, which was quick to uncover many flaws. "Not only does this study contain technical errors, but it also leads to conclusions which are largely exaggerated. The authors have nothing to say that one of the versions is more dangerous, or even that they are two distinct viral lines , " comments Étienne Simon-Lorière, head of the laboratory for evolutionary genomics of viruses at ARN at the Institut Pasteur. Questioned on this point Thursday March 5,
This article is for subscribers only. You have 74% left to discover.
Subscribe: € 1 for 2 months
cancellable at any time
Enter your emailAlready subscribed? Login
