Why do viruses exist and where do they come from?

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I’ll try to keep this short.

For years, viruses have both fascinated and completely terrified me. I understand that bacteria are little itty bitty simple organisms. Makes sense, like when you learn about your own cells in biology class.

But a virus? From what I’ve read, they aren’t alive. They just go around hoping to get inside of you so they can hijack your cells, cause mayhem and potentially kill the host that’s keeping its cycle going.

Where did they come from? How can they not have a full life cycle on their own? Seemingly no purpose, but still exist. How did they start out? I know no life form has a ‘true purpose’ because we’re all lucky to just be here but, there are pollinators, predators to keep prey numbers in check. Organisms that work together to both benefit. Then there are mindless viruses that just exist and if you inhale them, they mess you up. Why?

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5 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

> Seemingly no purpose, but still exist

Is self answered in your own post.

>I know no life form has a ‘true purpose’
_____
Organisms that work together to both benefit. Then there are mindless viruses

Things can and do exist without specific purpose. Viruses can reproduce in a way, so they do. Nature doesn’t necessarily need to have a balance effect, nor does it necessarily “work together” in many cases. There isn’t a sentient hand shake between host and parasite, predator and prey.

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