Its complex modulatory role in the renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) (Rossi et al., 2020), the potential of soluble ACE‐2 to scavenge SARS‐CoV‐2 (Rossi et al., 2020), and a possible beneficial role of ACE‐2 in ARDS (Kuba et al., 2005), complicate the interpretation of reduced ACE‐2 levels at high altitude. The gene discussed is ACE2; the disease is acute respiratory distress syndrome.