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Theory: mutations create variants, including less deadly versions. In fact, variants less likely to cause symptoms will spread more, because carriers don't get
by hyperpallium2 6y ago
Theory: mutations create variants, including less deadly versions. In fact, variants less likely to cause symptoms will spread more, because carriers don't get tested, isolate or take any precautions. But their immune system still generates the antibodies. In effect: a natural spontaneous viral vaccine.
It's similar to how viruses become less deadly over time (because they spread more if they don't kill their host), but I'm talking about the range of variants out in the community right now, not a platonic form that is representative of "the" disease.
- julianlam 6y agoYour theory, while attractive at face value, relies on one crucial assumption: that antibodies created to combat these less deadly variants are also effective against more deadly variants. We can't assume this for sure.
- hyperpallium2 6y agoTrue, that is an assumption, but it may often be true. Similarly, deadlier variants can evolve that are resistant to an engineered vaccine. One can argue the defining features of a particular virus, and whether an evolved version is a variant or a novel virus. An antibody may detect features that are defining or others.