very skeptical there are artificial elements in its genome. the furin cleavage site that has often been mentioned as a potential artificial insert is not what a human would put there given the choice. there are multiple lines of evidence supporting this, unfortunately i lost the link to the thread where i saw them. recapping from memory:
1. it is not a canonical site. when we insert something, we should know it works. this site works, but is unlike cleavage sites that are commonly used, all of which have been validated over decades and whose cleavage performance is stronger.
2. mutations in the site make the virus *stronger* (more infectious). a bioweapon artificially made weak...?????
none of this means the (naturally occurring) virus didn't escape from the virology lab. but it does mean that claims of genetic engineering, deliberate release, and bioweapon, should be treated very skeptically.
i read wade's long piece earlier, and he builds a strong case for lab escape, and then contradicts himself trying to make a case for genetic engineering/more. at one point he says "genetic engineering is untraceable", at another, he notes the rare, striking, *traceable* nature of the cleavage site. he's having and eating his cake on this.
e - found the thread i think:
there's another thread here which i'm less sure of, but seems to have some good info: