Claim Review: The COVID-Mpox-HIV Supervirus

Introduction

In recent news, Karen Kingston has made claims about the development of a supervirus combining RNA from SARS-CoV-2, mpox, and HIV. This article aims to review these claims and provide a thorough analysis based on scientific evidence.

The Claim

Karen Kingston asserts that scientists are attempting to create a supervirus that combines RNA from SARS-CoV-2, mpox, and HIV. She suggests that this virus could be aerosolised and transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, with the aim of weakening the immune systems of the population.

Analysis of the Claim

Scientific Feasibility

The idea of combining RNA from different viruses to create a supervirus is highly speculative and lacks scientific basis. Viruses have specific mechanisms for replication and transmission, and combining their RNA in a way that creates a new, highly infectious virus is not supported by current scientific knowledge.

A study published in the journal Nature Medicine discusses the challenges and limitations of viral engineering, highlighting the complexity of viral genomes and the difficulty of creating new viruses with desired properties.

Transmission Mechanisms

Kingston's claim that the supervirus could be aerosolised and transmitted through skin-to-skin contact is also questionable. Viruses have specific modes of transmission, and altering these modes is not straightforward. For example, HIV is primarily transmitted through bodily fluids, not through skin-to-skin contact.

A review article in the Lancet Infectious Diseases discusses the transmission mechanisms of various viruses, emphasizing the importance of understanding these mechanisms for effective disease control.

Immune System Weakening

The claim that the supervirus aims to weaken the immune systems of the population is not supported by scientific evidence. While some viruses can cause immune system dysfunction, the idea of a supervirus designed specifically for this purpose is speculative and lacks credible scientific backing.

A study published in the Journal of Immunity discusses the complex interactions between viruses and the immune system, highlighting the need for further research to understand these interactions fully.

Conclusion

The claim that scientists are developing a supervirus combining SARS-CoV-2, mpox, and HIV is largely unfounded and lacks credible scientific evidence. The idea of creating such a virus is highly speculative and not supported by current scientific knowledge. It is important to rely on peer-reviewed scientific studies and expert opinions when evaluating claims about viruses and their transmission mechanisms.