I think the evidence is in that this thing was created in a lab. As to who released it, on purpose or on accident, that is all up for speculation. It is becoming increasingly unlikely that the reaction to it is in good faith. Everyone is scrambling to take advantage of it to install oppressive laws, pin the inevitable financial collapse on it, and use it to secure more wealth in the hands of the few at the top. I don't think the evidence is there to suggest this is intended as a population reducing measure. However, intentionally or not, it is a test run for such an event as any such plan would benefit by studying what is happening today.