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

2021501 citationsReviewhybrid Open Access

Authors

Edward C. Holmes · The University of Sydney

Stephen A. Goldstein · University of Utah

Angela L. Rasmussen · University of Saskatchewan

David L. Robertson · MRC University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research

Alexander Crits‐Christoph · University of California, Berkeley

Joel O. Wertheim · University of California San Diego

Simon J. Anthony

Abstract

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.

Topics & Keywords

SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies COVID-19 epidemiological studies

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Good health and well-being

Publication Details

Published in: Cell

Volume 184, Issue 19, pp. 4848-4856

DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.08.017

Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 28.61