As a biologist with a relevant specialty, I don't get this. You can't prevent a random zoonotic virus; you just have to keep vigilant for them. That's what the Wuhan lab is for. And while lab escape isn't good, it's a common danger when doing routine surveillance for new bugs.
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Replying to @timfblogger @mattyglesias
Basically they unspoken promise here is the idea that eating any animal besides cattle, pigs, or chickens is inherently unsanitary.
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Considering how many novel diseases have emerged from the bushmeat trade, including AIDS and ebola, I would say that premise has a point.
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Aren’t pigs and chickens also major vectors for disease though
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Avian flu specifically emerged from interactions between chickens and wild fowl, hendraviruses spread from bats to horses and finally to humans. Livestock can serve as disease reservoirs but there isn't any serious objection to the idea that wild animals are worse.
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If it makes the Chinese feel any better I also think the Danish are stupid for farming mink.
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