The RaTG13 fecal specimen appears contrived, genome assembly inaccurate, and lab synthetic biology signature apparent

This paper critically examines the RaTG13 coronavirus, which was presented as the closest known relative of SARS-CoV-2 in a seminal February 2020 paper from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). The author, Dr. Steven Quay, identifies multiple inconsistencies in the reported origins, sequencing data, and genetic characteristics of RaTG13, arguing that the sample does not appear to be a natural bat fecal specimen.

Key findings include:

1. Unusual sample composition – The RaTG13 specimen had an extremely low bacterial content and a high proportion of eukaryotic genetic material, which is inconsistent with authentic bat fecal samples collected in the same study.
2. Genomic sequencing anomalies – The reported sequencing of RaTG13 shows inconsistencies in method-dependent mutation rates, with a nearly 5% variation between different sequencing approaches—far exceeding standard sequencing error rates.
3. Signs of laboratory modification – The study identifies a highly improbable pattern of synonymous mutations in key viral genes, which mirrors synthetic biology techniques rather than natural viral evolution.

The author concludes that RaTG13 may not be a naturally occurring virus, suggesting it could be a lab-assembled genome or a mischaracterized sample. Given these anomalies, he challenges the reliability of studies that use RaTG13 as evidence for a natural zoonotic origin of SARS-CoV-2.

This paper presents a detailed and technical critique that invites further scrutiny into the origins of the pandemic, urging transparency from researchers regarding the sequencing history and provenance of RaTG13.