Viral article claims that a new study found all COVID-19 variants are man-made

False and misleading claims about COVID-19’s origins have circulated since the earliest days of the pandemic, and this article is no exception. Debunking messaging may explain that the study, which is not peer-reviewed, did not draw any conclusions about non-Omicron variants and does not claim that the variants were intentionally “artificially synthesized” and released, as the article states. Additionally, the researchers acknowledge that their conclusion is based on a “limited” and potentially “unreliable” dataset, and that further research is necessary. Many research institutions have closely monitored the evolution of all COVID-19 variants and found no evidence that they are unnatural.

Fact Checking Source(s): Tech ARP, Johns Hopkins