"Synthetic" and "lab leak" are not mutually exclusive. It could have been either, neither, or both.

Everyone who is saying virus spread from bats to humans - you do realize there were people researching on bats in Wuhan, right? If it's from a bat, that doesn't automatically mean from a bat in nature.

Is there any evidence he was fired for these beliefs? Using the deliberately vague phrase, "earlier this year" in November gives the impression of an author trying to either manufacture causation where none exists.

The only part of this article about Altman is the beginning. This author seems incredibly passionate about virology and is using recent news to draw attention to the author's points on the subject.

I think it's a fairly credible claim, that the coronavirus originated in a lab. There's been leaks in the past, of similar pathogens - once in the USA and once in Taiwan, I think. Not a very interesting conspiracy theory. Equally, animal agriculture is ripe for the development of zoonoses, regardless of the country. I don't think it's especially important, ultimately, unless it informs better practices in both areas.

Who gives a fuck. Let's not turn this guy into a new Elon Musk.