Virologist George Gao also states for first time that China has investigated claim virus came from a laboratory
The former director of China’s Center for Disease Control and Protection has said the lab leak theory for the origins of Covid-19 should not be discounted.
The virus was first detected in Wuhan, a city in central China, in December 2019. Numerous studies have suggested Covid most likely emerged from a wet market in Wuhan where live animals were sold. But since Joe Biden became US president, authorities in the US have started to take the accidental leak theory more seriously. In May 2021 Biden ordered an intelligence investigation into the hypothesis. Earlier this year thereported that an updated and classified 2021 US energy department report had concluded with “low confidence” that the virus most likely emerged from a lab leak – a conclusion that runs counter to reports by a number of other US intelligence agencies.
James Wood, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Cambridge, said: “Professor Gao is an internationally respected scientist. There is strong evidence from virus genomics that the Covid-19 virus was not artificially engineered, or made by humans, but likely arose from another virus infecting wildlife.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Chinese barge suspected of being involved in looting British WWII wrecksMalaysia's maritime agency says it has found a cannon shell believed to be from World War II on a Chinese-registered barge carrier and is investigating whether the vessel has been involved in looting two British warship wrecks.
Read more »
Malaysia investigates Chinese barge suspected of links to looting of British WW2 wrecksSearch of vessel registered in Fuzhou, China, reveals cannon shell suspected to date from second world war
Read more »
Chinese police clash with Muslim ethnic group trying to protect mosqueClashes erupt in China's south-western Yunnan province as officials push ahead with plans to raze four minarets and the dome roof of the Najiaying Mosque, angering locals who turn out to confront police.
Read more »
Cabinet Office may take legal action to deny Covid inquiry Boris Johnson materialSuch a challenge over Lady Hallett’s request for unredacted diaries and messages would be seen as unprecedented
Read more »
Study shows COVID vaccine produces effective immune response in First Nations peopleThe study offers immunological evidence that supports the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccinations among First Nations Australians, according to researchers.
Read more »