Energy Department Concludes Covid-19 Likely Result of Lab Leak in China
The origins of the Covid-19 pandemic have long been a source of debate, with speculation about the virus’s source ranging from natural transmission from an infected animal to an accidental laboratory leak.[0] Now, the U.S. Energy Department has reportedly concluded that the virus likely stemmed from a lab leak in China, according to a 2021 classified report provided to the White House and senior American lawmakers.[1]
The Energy Department’s conclusion is the result of new intelligence and is significant because the agency has considerable scientific expertise and oversees a network of US national laboratories, some of which conduct advanced biological research. The department made its judgment with “low confidence,” according to people who have read the classified report.[2]
In 2021, the FBI arrived at the belief that the pandemic probably originated from a laboratory escape with “moderate confidence” and this remains their opinion.[3] The Chinese government has rejected any notion that the COVID[4] In June 2022, the Chinese government's official press agency, Xinhua, refuted any implication that the virus originated from a Chinese laboratory, asserting that the theory had been “concocted by anti-China forces for political purposes.”[4]
Officials who have read the classified report disclosed that the Central Intelligence Agency and another agency whose identity was not revealed remain undecided between the lab-leak and natural-transmission theories.[1] Media reports indicate that four other agencies, in addition to a national intelligence panel, have determined that the transmission was likely natural, while two remain undecided.[5]
Why is it important to know the origin of Covid-19?[6] According to Relman, a Stanford microbiologist, discovering the solution can help avert the subsequent pandemic, as he told CNN.[6] “If we gain any further insight or information, we will share it with Congress and we will share it with the American people.[0] But, right now, there is not a definitive answer that has emerged from the intelligence community on this question,
0. “Amid new report on COVID's origins, investigation continues into 2 main theories” ABC News, 26 Feb. 2023, https://abcnews.go.com/Health/amid-new-report-covids-origins-investigation-continues-2/story?id=97476847
1. “COVID-19 Likely Spread Through Mishap At Chinese Laboratory: Report” NDTV.com, 27 Feb. 2023, https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/covid-19-pandemic-likely-caused-by-accidental-chinese-lab-leak-report-3817316
2. “Covid-19 pandemic most likely came from lab leak: WSJ” Moneycontrol, 27 Feb. 2023, https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/world/covid-19-pandemic-most-likely-came-from-lab-leak-wsj-10164301.html
3. “U.S. Department of Energy Concludes Wuhan Lab “Most Likely” Source of COVID-19” GoLocalProv, 26 Feb. 2023, https://www.golocalprov.com/news/us-department-of-energy-concludes-wuhan-lab-most-likely-source-of-covid-19
4. “Chinese COVID Lab Leak Debate Resurges After New Report Drops” Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2023, https://www.newsweek.com/chinese-covid-lab-leak-debate-resurges-after-new-report-drops-1783864
5. “Lab Leak Most Likely Origin of COVID-19 Pandemic: US Energy Department” The Weather Channel, 27 Feb. 2023, https://weather.com/en-IN/india/coronavirus/news/2023-02-27-lab-leak-most-likely-origin-of-covid19-pandemic-us-energy
6. “New assessment on the origins of Covid-19 adds to the confusion” KSLTV, 27 Feb. 2023, https://ksltv.com/528337/new-assessment-on-the-origins-of-covid-19-adds-to-the-confusion/
7. “US energy department now believes Covid may have come from lab leak, report claims” The Independent, 26 Feb. 2023, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/covid-lab-leak-theory-energy-b2289982.html
8. “Covid-19 likely arose from laboratory leak: US energy department” The New Indian Express, 26 Feb. 2023, https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2023/feb/27/covid-19-likely-arose-from-laboratory-leak-us-energy-department-2551208.html
9. “A newly reported classified US government missive on the lab leak theory shows we still don't know where COVID-19 came from” Yahoo News, 26 Feb. 2023, https://news.yahoo.com/newly-reported-classified-us-government-175912493.html
