Viruses are both the villains and heroes of life as we know it

Viruses have a bad reputation . . . So while you may be used to thinking of viruses as the quintessential villains, they are arguably nature’s powerhouses for genetic innovation.

Pretty sure that few on this planet viewed viruses as villians until governments around the world starting researching their use as bioweapons. Even though world leaders of over 180 countries banned the development, production, and stockpiling of biological weapons in 1972 (Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention).

https://www.wionews.com/science/what-are-biological-weapons-here-is-a-list-of-countries-that-possess-them-330033

As of two years ago:

"The Office of the Secretary of Defense has identified countries that maintain various levels of offensive biological warfare capabilities or research facilities. This list includes Russia, China, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Libya, India, and Pakistan. The Henry L. Stimson Center also lists Egypt, Israel, and Taiwan as countries of ―proliferation concern. Also, the Al Qaeda network reportedly sought to buy biological agents. " [FNs omitted].

https://media.defense.gov/2019/Apr/11/2002115480/-1/-1/0/14NEXTGENBIOWEAPONS.PDF

Pretty sure that few on this planet viewed viruses as villians until governments around the world starting researching their use as bioweapons. [sic]

Ever heard of these villains: HIV, Ebola, Smallpox, Poliovirus, Rabies, Hantavirus, Influenza, Dengue, Rotavirus, SARS-COV, SAR-COV-2, MERS-COV?

@Skeptical

And the US too.

There is nothing villainous about survival. It's just survival based on how evolution has brought you to the situation you happen to be in relative to others.

So I would not consider anything other than "humans" to be villainous, as I don't imagine a virus infecting for leisure or personal benefit. Even if in some way the infection is not benefiting to it, nor is it for survival; it's negligible relative to the invasive nature humans has been to other species.