The recent pandemic of COVID 19, caused by SARS CoV 2, is unarguably the most fearsome compared with the earlier outbreaks caused by other coronaviruses, SARS CoV and MERS CoV. Human ACE2 is now established as a receptor for the SARS CoV 2 spike protein. Where variations in the viral spike protein, in turn, lead to the cross species transmission of the virus, genetic variations in the host receptor ACE2 may also contribute to the susceptibility and or resistance against the viral infection. ...