The US intelligence services admit that it will most likely never be possible to determine the origin of Covid-19. While there is a new, detailed version of research on whether the coronavirus was transmitted from animals to humans or whether it could have broken out of a laboratory. Without the help of China, a final statement about the origin of the virus is not possible.
In a report released on Friday, the Office of the US Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) rejects claims that the virus was developed as a biological weapon. However, there are two plausible hypotheses about the outbreak of the pandemic that struck the globe: either a natural origin or a leak in a laboratory. But apparently all the experts and analysts cannot agree on which of the two hypotheses is more likely – or whether the question of the origin can ever be clarified.
Beijing is showing the cold shoulder
As long as China remains silent on relevant inquiries, mankind will probably never know the origin of Covid-19: “The cooperation of China would most likely be necessary in order to arrive at a final assessment of the origin of Covid-19,” says the report. “However, Beijing continues to obstruct global investigations, refuses to divulge information and blames other countries, including the US.”
According to the report, “there is a lack of clinical samples or a full understanding of the epidemiological data of the first Covid-19 cases”. Open questions include information about the earliest cases of Covid-19, the occupancy rate of Chinese hospitals, and information about animals on offer at a number of fresh markets in Wuhan.
Wuhan’s Virology Institute is mentioned again and again in the report and questions are raised as to which animals were experimented with there and which transmission chains might have been possible.
Politicized topic?
China responded promptly to the report with sharp criticism: “The US approach to relying on its intelligence apparatus instead of scientists to find the origins of Covid-19 is a complete political farce,” said Liu Pengyu, spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington. On the contrary, the USA would hinder research into the causes. The report “only undermines scientifically based research on origins and hinders global efforts to find the source of the virus,” said Liu.
The Chinese pretend not to block such investigations, but the original question is unnecessarily politicized: “We have supported the scientifically based efforts to trace the origin of the virus and will continue to actively support it,” said embassy spokesman Liu. “However, we are resolutely against attempts to politicize this issue.”
Confused Chinese
The US report, on the other hand, is open to “revise findings if further evidence emerges”. China’s blocking stance, on the other hand, only raises more questions. The Chinese resistance to closer cooperation with other countries and organizations in investigating the origins of the virus reflects Beijing’s “uncertainty about where an investigation could lead.” (kes)