Notwithstanding the fact that the infection started in the Chinese city of Wuhan, the discussion over the coronavirus’s origins has been mostly centered in the West.
The official position of the Chinese government has remained ambiguous, partly in an effort to deflect criticism.
Revelations from the Former Head of Chinese CDC
In the meantime, researchers who may have information on how the epidemic started — most likely in late 2019 — appear to have been hushed.
This week, George Gao, the former director of the Chinese Institute for Disease Control and Prevention, gave his opinions on the hotly debated topic to a BBC program.
Although it may not seem like much, Gao was unmistakably recognizing that a lab mishap at the Wuhan Institute of Virology could have led to the coronavirus’s emergence.
The comments were in a brand-new BBC podcast titled ‘Fever: The Search for Covid’s Origin.’
Initially, the majority of scientists believed the virus was created in Wuhan’s wildlife market. Yet, sentiment has steadily evolved in favor of the possibility of human error.
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Lab Leak Possibility amid China’s Denials
A similar leak has been vehemently refuted by China, and Gao did not offer any proof to refute those claims. But when given the option, he too refrained from making such a denial.
Former National Security Council official and proponent of lab leaks Jamie Metzl told Yahoo News that he was not aware of any other Chinese scientist who had compromised in a similar way.
Metzl claims that Gao has always been clear and honest based on appearances. He is seeking, in my opinion, to maintain scientific credibility while avoiding upsetting the China government.
Richard Ebright, a molecular scientist at Rutgers University and a vocal supporter of lab leaks, hypothesizes that China may have even encouraged Gao.
Gao’s statement might have been approved by the Chinese government, which could portend a change in the Chinese government’s position on the issue, Ebright told Yahoo News.
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