Recombination among RNA viruses is well-known to science and something that can lead tounforeseen variants.
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This occurs when different variants of the COVID -19 virusswap chunks of genetic material when they reproduce.
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The process is well understood butthe implications for public health are unclear.
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Recombination canbring togethermutationsthat occurred indifferent variantsof Covid-19.
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These new combinations of Covid maycreate new and lethal strains.
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We have seen the NaturalCovid -19 then Alpha, Deltaand nowOmicronas the main variants of concern but there are dozens of variants known asVariants of Interestthat are beingclosely watched.
Early on in the pandemic, research suggested recombination
likely played a role in SARS-CoV-2’s emergence as a human disease.
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Most efforts thus far have focused on surveillance and figuring out
what it may mean forviral evolution.
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.Virology is a complicated area of science but one that has led to amazing breakthroughs in vaccines known asmRNA vaccines.
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An incredible amount of research is happening around the world so breakthroughs will be reported often along with issues created by new variants such as Omicron.
https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/plenty-of-evidence-for-recombination-in-sars-cov-2-69156
