Are there viruses at all?
I became aware of this heretical question during 2020, and I’ve followed the debate with interest ever since.
If you consume nothing but mainstream news you probably never heard there are people who actually doubt the existence of viruses, and even if you did, you would probably simply dismiss it as yet another tin-foil hat conspiracy theory.
The thing is, once upon a time most people were convinced the sun revolved around the earth and anyone who said otherwise was ridiculed or worse, much worse. Today, it would be the other way round, and not just on Twitter.
So unless we keep an open mind to big questions, unless we allow big theories to be reconsidered and questioned, unless we don’t just faithfully and blindly repeat the mindless ‘follow the science’ mantra, unless we actually follow the scientific method and engage in rigorous scientific debate instead of muting those who don’t follow the herd, we end up turning science into a religion, and we end up making fools of ourselves, or worse, at least vis-à-vis future generations.
If, say, the Big Bang theory is questioned, it’s no big deal. It’s a question that is so far removed from our daily lives, it is allowed in mainstream media. Nothing much hinges on such a debate.
However, whether or not viruses exist is a much hotter potato, especially in these Covidian times. Too many careers and livelihoods are at stake, and not just in big pharma.
I find this debate fascinating.
A very brief summary in layman’s terms: those questioning the existence of viruses generally say that the science behind virology is essentially smoke and mirrors, that the existence of viruses has never actually been proven by rigorous scientific standards, that all the alleged evidence is based on shoddy scientific methods, and that all arguments in favour of the existence of viruses are merely circular and therefore untenable.
For a long time, those believing viruses exist have simply ignored the other camp. But recently the debate has intensified. Dr Sam Bailey threw down the gauntlet by publishing the Settling the virus debate statement on 14 July 2022. She and likeminded colleagues are challenging virologists to prove the existence of viruses through properly conducted, documented and monitored scientific experiments.
In addition, German virus doubter Samuel Eckert has created the Isolate Truth Fund, offering €1,5 million for any virologist who presents scientific proof of the existence of a coronavirus.
So, watch this space…
Personally, I’m in two minds. I can understand why the doubters want rigorous scientific proof that viruses exist. I’m surprised that prominent virologists react to being challenged by dismissing or ridiculing the doubters, instead of taking on the challenge and proving them wrong. Considering they are so convinced of their theory that should be child’s play.
To my mind, the arguments of the doubters do make sense; and the burden of proof lies squarely with the virologist.
On the other hand, could virologists really fool themselves and the whole world by making up their own language, by constructing and maintaining a whole make-believe universe for decades and decades?
Let’s observe, let’s listen to the arguments from both sides. Hopefully there will be a serious, respectful, high quality scientific debate. But paradigm shifts are hard, egos are big, and the stakes are extremely high.
