It can still be released from a lab without being genetically engineered. It is possible that they had a sample retrieved from a cave somewhere, and that is wha

It can still be released from a lab without being genetically engineered. It is possible that they had a sample retrieved from a cave somewhere, and that is what somehow escaped. That would explain the unprecedented response. I think the conspiracy theorists are hoping for something more impressive other than "it was a lab accident." History has taught us that lab accidents are a bit more likely than we'd like to admit - see "Biohazard" by Ken Alibek. The Soviet Union (and China) had several accidental release incidents during his time in Biopreparat. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Alibek https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Alibek As it stands, we have no way of knowing if it came from an animal or this lab unless they tell us. Either is possible.