Why Don’t Animals Mutate Like the Coronavirus?

Every time human DNA is passed from one generation to the next, it accumulates approximately 100 to 200 new mutations, as revealed by a DNA-sequencing analysis of the Y chromosome. In contrast, virus mutation occurs much more rapidly, often within weeks to months. This is largely due to the high number of viral particles and infected individuals. Since the initial discovery of SARS-CoV-2, it has been acquiring two mutations in its genome every two weeks.

Viral Evolution vs. Animal Evolution

Unlike animals, which can only mutate in an evolutionarily meaningful way through their germ cell lineages, viral mutations are extremely quick. Point mutations, gene duplications, deletions, copy number mutations in important genomic regions, or broader chromosomal abnormalities all contribute to mutagenesis. However, most of these mutations are either reproductively meaningless or detrimental. These mutations then recombine in a unique combination in offspring, inheriting one set of alleles from the father and one from the mother.

This mutation rate in animals is thus limited to the time it takes for the population to mature and reproduce. For most animals, this process takes months, years, and even decades. In contrast, viruses like the coronavirus complete their reproductive cycle within minutes, hours, or days. This rapid reproduction, combined with the sheer number of replication events, makes it incredibly easy for viruses to mutate quickly.

Why Viruses Can Mutate So Fast

The quick reproduction time and the sheer number of replication events make it easy for viruses like the coronavirus to mutate rapidly. This high mutation rate contributes to the virus's ability to adapt and evolve quickly. Consequently, the coronavirus is constantly developing new strains, which can lead to increased transmissibility and sometimes resistance to existing treatments.

Further Clarification on Viral vs. Animal Evolution

Animals are much more complex and usually have a much longer lifespan than viruses like the coronavirus. The coronavirus, like many other viruses, has a very short lifespan, typically lasting only a few weeks. During this time, it reproduces and spreads as quickly as possible, causing new infections. Once an initial virus cell dies, it has already spread to infect other cells or individuals. This process is very different from the slow and gradual mutation of animal species.

Viruses can be seen as parasitic entities, focusing solely on replication and spreading. While discussions about genetic modification and the origins of SARS-CoV-2 can be complex and often involve conspiracy theories, it’s important to acknowledge that the virus was not intentionally engineered for gain of function to increase its pathogenicity. The virus was likely a naturally occurring pathogen that emerged and spread due to a variety of factors, including environmental and ecological changes.

In conclusion, while both viruses and animals can mutate, the mechanisms and rates are fundamentally different. The high mutation rate in viruses like the coronavirus is due to their rapid reproductive cycles and the sheer number of replication events, which is not possible for animal species with longer lifespans and more complex genetic structures.