Some of them coincide, others are similar and some others different. It is very unfortunate that we do not yet know such essential characters according to which we can definitely establish the degree of relationship between genes and viruses. Until that time we have no right to claim that genes are identical with viruses. It is better now to leave this question open, instead of drawing conclusions. We can only say that in many respects the effect of the virus is similar to that of the gene.
Riddle thinks that the gene is a single protein molecule.
Now this throws a very brilliant light on two problems of vital interest to Theosophists. First of all, The Secret Doctrine teaches that man fell heir to his diseases through cross-breeding, in the early days of fluidity of types, with species allied in form but dissimilar in astral and Karmic constitution. There is no evidence against the possibility, from the most scientific standpoint, that the reproductive particles in such miscegenations might undergo a whole series of anomalous and monstrous procreations with and within the animal cells, giving rise to the viruses as now known and also to various germs which in turn would undergo innumerable mutations. For this we have from time to time already reported much evidence. It would be particularly agreeable to the scientific mind to be able to consider the virus as a purely chemical substance which could be so handled.