In a recent study, the US government’s energy department concluded a lab leak was the most likely reason behind the origin of the pandemic. Read to know more.
Lab leak, the most possible reason behind the pandemic
According to a study carried out by the US energy department, a lab leak is the most likely reason for the COVID-19 pandemic. The study oversees a network of 17 laboratories researching advanced biology. Previously the FBI also accused the Chinese laboratory of the pandemic. Since the pandemic began, there is much speculation about the virus escaping from China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology. The institute has been collecting and manipulating bat viruses.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the US energy department’s findings revealed four other US agencies believe the pandemic is a consequence of natural transmission. However, two other institutes including the CIA are undecided. “Some elements of the intelligence community have reached conclusions on one side. Some on the other, and a number have said they just don’t have enough information to be sure,” stated Jake Sullivan. Sullivan is the National Security advisor. In his interview with CNN, he admitted there are several views on the origin of the pandemic.
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Moreover, the CNN interview revealed the Biden administration “repeatedly directed every element of our intelligence community. To put effort and resources on getting to the bottom of this question”. According to WSJ, the energy department concluded a lab leak was a possible reason for “low confidence”. However, the suspicion of the covid pandemic is a part of China’s biological weapons program is unfounded.
The initial inquiry concluded COVID-19 to have emerged from an animal spillover event. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) headed inquiry is controversial. This is because later news revealed investigators were forced to report the possibility of a lab leak. This was in order to avoid new arguments with China. However, in the US origins are politicized. Several Republicans including Doland Trump and Arkansas senator Tom Cotton blame the Chinese lab.