Foreign news
Scientists prove natural origin of coronavirus with evolution theory
A new commentary has once again dismissed the COVID-19 lab leak theory by applying a classic evolutionary theory to elaborate why SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, could only come from nature.
The insight piece, titled “On the origin of SARS-CoV-2 – The blind watchmaker argument,” was published on the academic journal Science China Life Sciences on Friday by 22 scientists working in Chinese universities and research institutions.
The argument the authors applied stated that natural selection is a blind, unconscious, automatic process which has no purpose in mind and plays the role as a blind watchmaker.
A perfectly adapted species could not be created at once, but would have to accumulate small, adaptiveness-enhancing changes through random mutations over long periods of time, reported Xinhua citing Wu Chung-I, corresponding author of the commentary and professor of the School of Life Sciences at Sun Yat-sen University in south China’s Guangdong Province.
SARS-CoV-2 is “extremely well adapted to the human populations and its adaptive shift from the animal host to humans must have been even more extensive,” said the commentary, which, according to the blind watchmaker argument, “can only happen prior to the onset of the current pandemic and with the aid of step-by-step selection.”
“In this view, SARS-CoV-2 could not have possibly evolved in an animal market in a big city and even less likely in a laboratory,” it added.
The article also said that researchers have successfully selected SARS-CoV-2 strains that can infect mice, which are otherwise resistant to the infection. However, “the enabling mutations account for such a tiny fraction of mutations that an efficient screening of mutations by natural selection is required.”
The authors inferred that before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus may have experienced some forms of multi-step evolution in human populations, leading to its extraordinary adaptiveness.
They said the claim of non-natural origin of SARS-CoV-2 is “moot,” as no known natural law “prohibits the SARS-CoV-2 genome to evolve to its current state.” They called for focus on the natural processes in relation to the virus’ origin, which would be “more productive.”
Foreign news
Pakistan High Commission in Abuja Marks First Marqa-e-Haq Commemoration, Reaffirms Commitment to Peace and Sovereignty
Cyril Ajayi
The High Commission of Pakistan in Abuja on Friday held a commemorative event to mark Pakistan and its Armed Forces’ first observance of Marqa-e-Haq, paying tribute to the courage, resilience and sacrifices of the Pakistani nation and military during last year’s conflict in South East Asia.
Speaking at the ceremony held weekend, in Abuja, Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires, Mr. Muhammad Imran Sarwar, described the occasion as a profound moment of remembrance and national pride.
He said Marqa-e-Haq remains a defining symbol of Pakistan’s unity, steadfastness and unwavering commitment to protecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Addressing members of the Pakistani diaspora and community representatives in attendance, Mr. Sarwar praised the professionalism, sacrifices and operational excellence demonstrated by Pakistan’s armed forces during the conflict.
He also commended the patriotism and resilience shown by the Pakistani people during a critical chapter in the nation’s history.
According to him, Pakistan’s capabilities across both conventional and emerging domains are anchored on the principles of responsible deterrence, strategic balance and the preservation of peace.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to diplomacy, peaceful coexistence and constructive international engagement, stressing that the country remains fully prepared to defend its national interests against aggression, destabilisation or external threats.
Mr. Sarwar further noted that Marqa-e-Haq is not only a solemn remembrance of sacrifice and national honour, but also a reaffirmation of Pakistan’s principled pursuit of peace through strength, resilience and collective national purpose.
The event drew members of the Pakistani community in Nigeria, diplomats and invited guests, reflecting the importance of the occasion and the strong ties between Pakistan and its diaspora abroad.
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