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A comment on Evidence supports claim that SARS-CoV-2 genes can integrate with human DNA. Parent comment

Re:Evidence supports claim that SARS-CoV-2 genes can integra... by gpvos on Monday May 10, 2021 @08:13AM (#27105097)
Yes, there are several types of viruses that purposely insert things into DNA. In fact, a significant part (more than half?) of our DNA comes from viruses (but is inactive).

Coronaviruses are not known to do this, so I'd bet on a lab error for now. But it is conceivable.

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Re:Evidence supports claim that SARS-CoV-2 genes can integra... by coldacid on Monday May 10, 2021 @08:56AM (#27105466)
This isn't a case of the viruses themselves purposely inserting their code into our DNA, but rather enzymes that we produce ourselves doing it.
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Re:Evidence supports claim that SARS-CoV-2 genes can integra... by chme on Monday May 10, 2021 @08:19AM (#27105162)
Not sure where you all get your numbers from, when it is even explicitly mentioned in the posted article:

> The enzyme, reverse transcriptase, is encoded by LINE-1 elements, sequences that litter 17% of the human genome and represent artifacts of ancient infections by retroviruses.

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