Covid-19 ~ How do we know its not man made?

Lots of rumours flying around and no doubt the Government will fan the flames of these to deflect from their own inadequacies in response to the epidemic.

However whilst nothing is ever 100% and this is so new that further data from research may bring a different light to it. But at present it would seem that it is unlikely that Covid-19 was constructed in a laboratory.


Here are some quotes from NatureMedicine, link to full document below
The proximal origin of SARS-CoV-2

To the Editor — Since the first reports of novel pneumonia (COVID-19) in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, there has been considerable discussion on the origin of the causative virus, SARS-CoV-2 (also referred to as HCoV-19). Infections with SARS-CoV-2 are now widespread, and as of 11 March 2020, 121,564 cases have been confirmed in more than 110 countries, with 4,373 deaths. 

SARS-CoV-2 is the seventh coronavirus known to infect humans; SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 can cause severe disease, whereas HKU1, NL63, OC43 and 229E are associated with mild symptoms. Here we review what can be deduced about the origin of SARS-CoV-2 from comparative analysis of genomic data. We offer a perspective on the notable features of the SARS-CoV-2 genome and discuss scenarios by which they could have arisen. Our analyses clearly show that SARS-CoV-2 is not a laboratory construct or a purposefully manipulated virus.

Here are some quotes from Medical News Today, link to full document below
The new coronavirus was not man-made, study shows

The scientists found that the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein had evolved to target ACE2 so effectively that it could only have been the result of natural selection and not of genetic engineering. Furthermore, the molecular structure of the backbone of SARS-CoV-2 supported this finding. If scientists had engineered the new coronavirus purposely as a pathogen, explain the researchers, the starting point would likely have been the backbone of another virus in the coronavirus family.

However, the backbone of SARS-CoV-2 was very different than those of other coronaviruses and was most similar to related viruses in bats and pangolins.
“These two features of the virus — the mutations in the RBD portion of the spike protein and its distinct backbone — rule out laboratory manipulation as a potential origin for SARS-CoV-2,” explains Andersen. 

“By comparing the available genome sequence data for known coronavirus strains, we can firmly determine that SARS-CoV-2 originated through natural processes.”
– Kristian Andersen

LINKS
medicalnewstoday-The new coronavirus was not man-made, study shows
nature.com-The proximal origin of SARS-CoV-2
Laboratory-Acquired Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
sciencedaily-COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic has a natural origin
patient.info-COVID-19: coronavirus myths debunked
forbes-No, COVID-19 Coronavirus Was Not Bioengineered. Here’s The Research That Debunks That Idea
techtimes-Studies Confirm Coronavirus is NOT Man-Made; Find Out How it Hijacks Your Cells
health24-New coronavirus is not man-made, new study confirms