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Rumors have been circulating since the early weeks of the pandemic that the coronavirus could have escaped from a laboratory in Wuhan, China. Now the theory is being taken seriously again. Last week, President Joe Biden ordered U.S. intelligence services to investigate whether Covid-19 “arose from human contact with an infected animal or arose from a laboratory accident” and reported within 90 days. It would be much better if China eventually allowed international researchers unlimited access — though difficult — to seek an answer.
The escape from a laboratory is just a hypothesis, based on circumstantial evidence, but credible. Covhan-19 was detected early in Wuhan’s Huanan seafood market as the perfect “zoonotic transfer” for the virus through a species barrier – wild animals were in close contact with each other and humans. However, it is 12 km away Wuhan Institute of Virology, which includes a large collection of coronaviruses; another institute, Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, is even closer. Laboratory leaks have caused disease outbreaks before.
Determining the truth is not about sharing the blame. Yes essential for understanding the origin of the disease, which has killed at least 3.5 million people, if we want to prevent similar outbreaks in the future. If it were a zoonotic spill, knowledge of the mechanisms could determine where changes in animal handling and human interaction should be made and contribute to design around the world. early warning system future risks. If the virus came from a laboratory – and if it changed in any way – lessons could be learned about the transparency and security of global bio-research.
The wonderful resources of US spy agencies may also be insufficient, however, to provide a sure answer. And in a “post-truth” world, not only Beijing, but many other countries will deny any claim that the U.S. has revealed the Chinese origin of coronavirus as an information war.
Instead, the world needs multidisciplinary scientific research, conducted by credible experts selected by a multilateral body, to have access to all the data, people, and locations it needs. Due to all the difficulties experienced in the pandemic, it is the best body to deal with it World Health Organization. In fact, the hypothesis of a laboratory leak has largely reappeared as a result of a conclusive WHO probe that prevented China from having complete cooperation. WHO march report the transfer between a bat, through an intermediate host, was “very likely,” and the laboratory event “very unlikely”.
However, researchers found a similar disease of Covid in some people associated with the Huanan market in late 2019, the Sars-Cov-2 virus has never been found in an animal, so the source is unknown. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says there has been an assessment of a potential laboratory leak it has not been “broad enough”.
It seems that Beijing prefers to keep the source a mystery. China has pressured WHO researchers to keep the virus open to Wuhan with frozen foods; The Chinese media have pushed for the idea to be imported from other parts of the world. Donald Trump hardly made it easier for Beijing to be more open by stressing that “China would pay” for the virus, even if Biden left that language.
In the face of the protectionism of the Trump era in favor of free trade and its vaccine diplomacyhowever, Beijing has tried to describe itself as a responsible global citizen. He may be afraid of losing face if he is proven to be the source of Covid. In fact, China would gain respect, if it is too late, if it shifts to transparency and cooperation.
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