Moderna patented a short subsequence of a natural human gene. Natural genes are not supposed to be patented, but patenting a subsequence of one is basically equivalent and should not be allowed either.

This was noticed because it turns out that SARS-CoV-2 contains that same sequence. How did that happen? It could be the result if genetic engineering, if anyone did that; but it is no proof that the virus was engineered, because it could have randomly incorporated that sequence as RNA while adapting to a human host.

The article is slanted in support of the lab leak theory, and it's not impossible, but not proven either. If it is some day established that a lab leak played a role, we could learn important precautions to take in genetic engineering of viruses. However, even if the virus did not pass through a lab, we might nonetheless learn some important precautions.

(satire) Either way, Moderna's patent lawyers will sue the virus, and it won't dare reproduce any more in countries with vigorous patent enforcement. Then WIPO will tout this as proof that patenting of gene sequences is vitally important for everyone.