Some one gave a presentation describing the virus as simply fragments of living cells. Chucks of decimated code which still are capable of functions. They painted a picture where virus did not "evolve" from a more simple form. A human cell decimated for whatever reason leaves behind fragments of code, that code is what we would call a human virus. A bat cell decimated for whatever reason leaves behind fragments of code, that is what we call a bat virus. The cross contamination of other species code fragments is what can cause deadly situations…
Long shot here: Does anyone know of any scientist talking along these lines?