From nature or from a laboratory? Science, health, and politics in the dispute over the origin of SARS-CoV-2

This paper examines the current scientific and sociopolitical discourse on the origins of SARS-CoV-2, focusing on Viral by Alina Chan and Matt Ridley and Breathless by David Quammen. These books present contrasting narratives, highlighting competition within the scientific community and conflicts of interest. Central to the debate are the Huanan Seafood Market and Wuhan Institute of Virology, with discussions that involve zoonotic spillover and high-containment lab research. Both sources stress the need to identify the origins of the novel coronavirus to prevent future pandemics, but they diverge on key aspects, particularly regarding the importance and risks associated with laboratory research on potentially pandemic pathogens.