SARS-CoV-2 has created a global disaster by infecting millions of people and causing thousands of deaths across hundreds of countries. Currently, the infection is in its exponential phase in several countries and there is no sign of immediate relief from this deadly virus. At the same time, some "conspiracy theories" have arisen on the origin of this virus due to the lack of a "definite origin". To understand if this controversy is also reflected in scientific publications, here, we reviewed the key articles published at initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic (January 01, 2020 to April 30, 2020) related to the zoonotic origin of SARS-CoV-2 and the articles opposing the "conspiracy theories". We also provide an overview on the current knowledge on SARS-CoV-2 Spike as well as the Coronavirus research domain. Furthermore, a few important points related to the "conspiracy theories" such as "laboratory engineering" or "bioweapon" aspects of SARS-CoV-2 are also reviewed. In this article, we have only considered the peer-reviewed publications that are indexed in PubMed and other official publications, and we have directly quoted the authors' statements from their respective articles to avoid any controversy.
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Ann Ig
January 2025
Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Salento, Lecce, Complesso Ecotekne, Lecce, Italy.
Background: Correct information is an essential tool to guide thoughts, attitudes, daily choices or more important decisions such as those regarding health. Today, a huge amount of information sources and media is available. Increasing possibilities of obtaining data also require understanding and positioning skills, particularly the ability to navigate the ocean of information and to choose what is best without becoming overwhelmed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNed Tijdschr Geneeskd
January 2025
Groepspraktijk Huisartsen Bergh, 's-Heerenberg.
Since the corona pandemic, there has been more distrust towards the government and official institutions, more people are attracted to conspiracy theories and society has become more polarized. This increased distrust is also reflected in doctors' consulting rooms. It can be specifically aimed at medical interventions, the prescription of medication and the use of vaccinations, but also more broadly at the doctor as a representative of the established order.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBrain Behav
January 2025
Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Background: In today's post-truth times, where personal feelings and beliefs have become increasingly important, determining what is accurate knowledge has become an important skill. This is especially important during uncertainty crises (e.g.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS One
January 2025
Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with an increase in conspiracy theories worldwide. However, in Japan, the prevalence of COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs has remained unclear. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and correlates of COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs using a survey of 28,175 residents of Japan aged 16-81 years old.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntern Med J
January 2025
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Medical misinformation (false health or medical-related information) has seen a rapid increase in volume recently, with the global surge in social media usage and further exacerbation by the COVID-19 pandemic. This may put more lives at stake, as misinformation is an often-cited reason that people make dangerous health choices, engage in harmful practices and reject beneficial health treatments. In this article, we explore the drivers and consequences, as well as suggest several strategies at the personal, educational and systemic level, for physicians to guide and communicate with patients who subscribe to medical misinformation.
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