this post was submitted on 06 Feb 2026
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I’ve always wondered if cells created viruses, or if viruses are a natural consequence of complex genetics. They look so useless, having no need to reproduce, yet killing cells to do it uncontrollably. They don’t even feed, what is their purpose?
Genetics is a game of dice. Whatever works (with regards to proliferating a certain gene) will remain in the pool. Virus are just a consequence of that statistical fact.
Things don't actually have purposes. That's a human invention. (Adaptations can improve the chances of spreading, so we say "it does this" or "it's for that", but it's not intentional on the part of the genes, proteins, etc.)
Anyway, about your first question, it seems there are three main ideas about how viruses originate.
This leads into one of the biggest misconceptions about evolution.
That was a fun read, thanks!
Their purpose, like all life(?), is to reproduce.
They have no purpose. They just exist and sometimes multiply with a higher order life form's parts.