A New Perspective on Viruses: The Orphaned Life Forms

Understanding the Orphan Status of Viruses

If someone were to pen the saga of viruses, it might aptly be titled The Genesis of Orphans. In the vast tree of life that encompasses all living entities, one might argue that there exists a branch solely dedicated to these outcasts. To clarify, I am not referencing a specific category of viruses known as orphan viruses.

In the case of the novel coronavirus, this orphaned status transcends mere biological classification. It has become apparent that no system—be it political, scientific, or religious—will openly acknowledge the lineage of the novel coronavirus.

For various reasons, admitting that the novel coronavirus was intentionally engineered would be detrimental to political entities and governments. Instead, they prefer to wield it as a geopolitical tool, shrouded in misinformation, a dynamic that is currently unfolding before our eyes.

Typically, nations take pride in their advanced weaponry. Although the latent power of these pathogens surpasses that of nuclear arms, no one dares to accept responsibility for the existence of viruses. It is widely recognized that biological weapons do exist, and their creators aspire to enhance them into superweapons. Yet, acknowledging ownership of a virus remains taboo, even among those who seek to develop more lethal means of warfare. Consequently, while countries showcase their formidable weapons and missiles, they shy away from displaying biological agents.

The scientific community has long debated whether viruses constitute life forms, with no definitive resolution in sight. Generally, they are positioned somewhere in the liminal space between living and non-living matter, thus preventing their inclusion in the tree of life. This peculiar quandary is further complicated by the absence of a universally accepted definition of life itself.

Section 1.1: The Theoretical Foundations

In this light, it’s worth recalling a bold endeavor by one of the 20th century's most prominent physicists. In his 1944 work, What Is Life?, physicist Erwin Schrödinger employed the principles of quantum mechanics to explore the essence of life itself. This book, rooted in Schrödinger's lectures, introduced the notion of a complex molecule carrying a genetic “code-script”—a precursor to what we now recognize as DNA—responsible for determining the complete trajectory of an individual’s development and functioning.

Notably, James Watson and Francis Crick, who unraveled the structure of DNA, acknowledged the influence of Schrödinger's work on their groundbreaking research. As the scientific community races to develop a vaccine for COVID-19, it is vital to remember how a theoretical physicist like Schrödinger laid the groundwork for molecular biology nearly 75 years ago.

Physicists often exhibit remarkable courage in their explorations of uncharted territory. Their primary asset, a flexible theoretical framework, encourages curiosity while also shielding them from criticism by their peers. If their inquiries fail to yield practical results, the remnants of their investigations may simply linger in the limbo between physics and philosophy. Richard Feynman aptly remarked, “Physics is like sex: sure, it may produce practical results, but that’s not why we engage in it.”

Section 1.2: Religious Perspectives on Viruses

Religious institutions are typically generous in their interpretations, often claiming familiarity with any earthly phenomenon, despite asserting that the material realm is illusory. They frequently reference scriptures to argue that many contemporary discoveries were known to ancient sages, or that faith in God can overcome a virus. Ironically, there have been instances where governments have yielded to religious leaders' calls to reopen places of worship as a countermeasure against the virus.

Moreover, the plethora of creation myths presented in religious texts conspicuously omits viruses as part of God's creation. This glaring silence regarding the omnipresence of viruses raises questions, especially given their claims of possessing comprehensive knowledge.

Chapter 2: The Nature of Viruses

An often-cited adage, “success has many fathers, while failure is an orphan,” resonates particularly well in the context of viruses. Viruses epitomize the failure of organic molecules to arrange themselves in a slightly different manner. A minor alteration in their genetic makeup might have allowed them to self-replicate and ultimately join the ranks of living organisms.

I firmly believe that the origins of the coronavirus will never be embraced or acknowledged by any established authority—the coronavirus remains an orphan and will likely continue to be viewed as such. The reluctance of political, scientific, and religious institutions to embrace the coronavirus cements its status as a true orphan.

However, when these orphans find a home within our cells, we witness the astonishing capabilities of these seemingly inert molecular remnants as they wreak havoc within our bodies.

The first video title is What is a virus? - Viruses for children - Science for Kids - YouTube. In this video, viewers will learn about the basic characteristics of viruses, making it accessible for younger audiences.

The second video title is Scientists discover new species of virus called orphan genes - YouTube. This video discusses recent scientific findings regarding a new class of viruses and their implications in the broader context of viral studies.