Far from evil, viruses have driven — and even helped — human evolution
SalonThe word "virus" has largely negative connotations. Indeed, the history of life and the history of viruses are deeply intertwined, such that viruses have helped many animals along their path in the tree of life — including humans. Occasionally, viruses do leave something behind — in fact, a whole lot of something behind — in the form of additional genetic material in your cells. As researchers wrote in a 2020 article for the Journal of Virology, horizontal gene transfer — or the transportation of genetic material between organisms in a manner other than reproduction — does not commonly occur directly between viruses and their host cells save for a handful of exceptions. "This constant battle with viruses has shaped us in every aspect — not just the few proteins that fight infections, but everything," Enard wrote, adding that the revelation was "profound."
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