The claim is based on the observation that the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and a genetic sequence patented by the pharmaceutical company Moderna share a 19-nucleotide long sequence. However, contrary to the beliefs of some, this sequence isn’t unique nor is it a feature specific to manmade sequences. It can be found in other living things, showing that the sequence occurs naturally. The presence of a short, identical gene sequence isn’t evidence that the virus was engineered.