Based on the literature reviewed above, we suggest the following hypothesis: In acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS/COVID-19), alterations of the renin-angiotensin-system (RAS) signal a change of the chemosensitive reflex control of breathing, which results in an increase of the respiratory drive, which becomes independent from alterations of blood gases. This evidence concerns the gene REN and acute respiratory distress syndrome.