In late May, President Joe Biden ordered US intelligence to investigate the origin of the coronavirus. The assignment was to last for 90 days, and the investigation is now well over halfway.
When the investigation began, the prevailing view was that the virus originated in nature. Several people with knowledge of the investigation now believe that the theory that the virus accidentally escaped a laboratory in Wuhan is at least as likely. It writes CNN.
This attitude is a dramatic change from last year, when many rejected the laboratory theory as a conspiracy theory. The CIA in particular, which a year ago ruled out the theory, believes according to CNN that it now holds water:
– There has been a change of attitude, says a person with knowledge of the investigation to CNN.
– Large security forces guarded the Virology Institute in Wuhan when WHO’s own investigators arrived in February. Photo: Thomas Peter / REUTERS
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Nevertheless, the American intelligence community is still no closer to an answer to the corona riddle. Although laboratory theory has now gained support, just as many are adamant that it originated in the animal kingdom and spread to humans.
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According to CNN, the intelligence community has found little evidence to support one theory over the other. There is still most evidence that the virus originated in nature, but nothing that excludes that the virus was the result of a leak from the Wuhan Virology Institute. Leading American researchers, on the other hand, say that there is a predominant probability for the former theory.
WHO demands answers
The leader of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, went out last week and stated that the lab theory was rejected “too soon”. Tedros asked China to help illuminate the team.
– China must provide us with information on how the situation was in these laboratories before and during the outbreak of the pandemic, urged The WHO summit.
– WHO leader Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is among those calling for more information from China. Photo: Laurent Gillieron / AP Photo
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The Chinese, who have consistently denied the theory, responded to the WHO’s request the same day:
“Since the outbreak of the pandemic, China has taken a scientific, professional, serious and responsible approach to tracing the origin of the virus,” he wrote. Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Tougher tone
The more American intelligence supports the lab theory, the tougher the tone towards China. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki has previously said that the United States uses diplomatic press to access Chinese information about the coronary eruption.
Researchers who believe the coronavirus originated in nature also say they want access to Chinese data from the start of the pandemic, as early test results are needed to say something about the origin.
– White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki is threatening China with diplomatic pressure to get to the bottom of the matter. Photo: Susan Walsh / AP Photo
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As the investigation has progressed, the United States has taken a harder line. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan used harsh words when he was a guest Fox News earlier this summer:
– China will be isolated from the international community if they do not cooperate, was the clear warning from Sullivan.
CNN emphasizes that neither Sullivan nor anyone else in the intelligence community is waiting for a final answer, and will wait for Biden’s 90 days to pass before concluding.
Dispute in the Senate
On Tuesday, the debate about the origin of the virus led to an open quarrel in the Senate. Senator Rand Paul is a supporter of the lab theory, and believes US health authorities helped fund “gain of function” studies in Wuhan. In short, these studies aim to amplify the potential of a virus in a laboratory, in order to study the consequences of this.
Paul believes these studies caused the virus, and that Fauci lied in Congress when he said that the health authorities have never funded such studies. This made the USA’s leading infection control expert look red:
– Anthony Fauci was not happy with the accusations leveled against him. Photo: J. Scott Applewhite / AP Photo
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– I have not lied to Congress. I have never lied. At least not for Congress. Finished talking, said Fauci, who further pointed out that Paul’s “gain of function” theory is scientifically impossible.
– Senator Paul, you do not know what you’re talking about, to be completely honest. And I want that for sure. You do not know what you are talking about. If there’s anyone here who’s lying, it’s you, concluded the otherwise sane infection control expert.
Need solid evidence
The relationship between the USA and China is anything but rosy, which makes the investigation extra challenging. To publicly support one theory over the other will therefore require solid evidence. The intelligence community is not currently involved.
“I have listened to the investigators, and I really understand why they perceive these two theories as competing, and why it is very difficult for them to consider one as more credible than the other,” said Avril Haines, head of national intelligence to Yahoo! News.
– WHO investigators rejected the lab theory after their visit to Wuhan. Photo: Hector Retamal / AFP
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Haines says she herself does not consider one theory to be more probable than the other, and believes it is possible that one never gets an answer to the corona riddle.
– We hope to find conclusive evidence, but it may not happen, Haines concludes.
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