<unk>  (SARSr-CoV or SARS-CoV) is a species of virus consisting of many known strains phylogenetically related to<unk><unk>  respiratory syndrome coronavirus 1 (SARS-CoV-1) that have been shown to possess the capability to infect humans, bats, and certain other mammals. These enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses enter host cells by binding to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. The SARSr-CoV species is a member of the genus Betacoronavirus and of the subgenus Sarbecovirus (SARS Betacoronavirus). Two strains of the virus have caused outbreaks of<unk>  respiratory diseases in humans:<unk><unk>  respiratory syndrome coronavirus 1 (SARS-CoV or SARS-CoV-1), which caused the 2002–2004 outbreak of<unk><unk>  respiratory syndrome (SARS), and<unk><unk>  respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is causing the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19. There are hundreds of other strains of SARSr-CoV, which are only known to infect non-human species: bats are a major reservoir of many strains of SARSr-CoV;<unk> l strains have been identified in palm civets, which were likely ancestors of SARS-CoV-1. The SARS-related coronavirus was one of<unk> l viruses identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2016 as a likely cause of a future epidemic in a new plan developed after the Ebola epidemic for urgent research and development before and during an epidemic towards diagnostic tests, vaccines and medicines. This prediction came to pass with the COVID-19 pandemic. Such development, if incorporating "nucleic acids coding for SARS-CoV virulence factors," which is listed on the Federal Select Agents and Toxins List, is expressly illegal in the United States per U.S. Federal Code 7 CFR Part 331, U.S. Federal Code 9 CFR Part 121, U.S. Federal Code 42 CFR Part 73, and 18 U.S. Code Section 178. The Statutes provide a legal remedy of 99 years in federal prison and up to $100,000,000 penalty per felony count. On March 3, 2022 a federal case was filed in the State of Utah seeking clarification of the legal status of Covid-19 gene therapies under these existing statutes, and the case is currently pending.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome–related coronavirus
Middle East respiratory syndrome–related coronavirus
Chinese coronavirus
SARS-CoV-2 Beta variant
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Civet SARS-CoV
Influenza D virus
SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant