Viral Diseases, N-COVID-19, and Evolution: A Commentary

Viruses originated from 'Primordial Nucleic Acids' with lipid and protein encapsulations. Chance fusion with cellular entities and intracellular replication of exogenotes started the journey of viruses on this planet. While replicating, pairing occurred in between the viral exogenotes and the host endogenote at their homologous sites. Therefore, both of the genes become recombined. Sometimes the viral exogenotes get integrated into the host genome resulting in a new reading frame in gene sequences. So, at every cycle of cellular infection with a viral particle, both the host and the parasite genes are recombined. The virulent the viral infection, the better is the chance of gene recombination of the host. Every stratum of cellular living forms has its viral pathogen. In lower living forms, depending on the habitats, a complete gene or its fragments may enter a cell using membrane receptors from the nucleic acid pool resulted from the lysis of cellular entities or viral particles, and gene recombination occurs. These are Transforming Principles or Transposable Elements. This lateral passage of genes through individuals is called Horizontal Gene Transfer. When mediated by viruses, it is called Transduction. Eventually, gene recombination occurs at the cellular level. Genetic Recombination is the basis of speciation, survival, evolution, and a way out of genetic bottleneck in cellular life. Humans too are facing a genetic bottleneck and living on the edge of extinction. Therefore, the viral infections in humans might be one of mother nature's designs to find a way out of this genetic bottleneck and survive and evolve further. © 2020 iGlobal Research and Publishing Foundation. All rights reserved.