In the town of Maplewood, a severe outbreak of a rare virus occurred in the spring of 2020. The residents decided to isolate themselves to prevent the spread of the virus. After a year, when they reopened their town, it was found that 80% of the population had succumbed to the virus. Interestingly, 20% of the population survived, and many of these survivors exhibited a unique genetic mutation known as gamma 45. One notable survivor, John Smith, lost his entire family to the virus but remained unaffected himself. Researchers later discovered that a significant number of the descendants of the survivors from Maplewood carry the gamma 45 mutation.

Which of the following, if true, most undermines the implications made within the passage?