COVID-19 origin: Lab theory should not be ruled out, says team of 18 scientists

A group of leading scientists said that the origin of COVID-19 virus is still unclear and the theory of virus originating from a lab needs to be taken seriously until there is substantial evidence that proves otherwise, according to a report by Reuters. 

Novel coronavirus, which first emerged in China’s Wuhan City in late 2019, has claimed over 3.3 million lives. Since early last year, countries were forced to lockdown and economies were affected at large, to stop the spread of the virus. 

“More investigation is still needed to determine the origin of the virus,” said the 18 scientists, which includes Ravindra Gupta and Jesse Bloom, who are from University of Cambridge and Stanford respectively, in a letter to the journal Science.  

Also Read: Though US lifts guidance, not everyone ready to give up masks

David Relman, professor of microbiology at Stanford said, “Theories of accidental release from a lab and zoonotic spillover both remain viable.” 

The letter elaborates that the investigation done by World Health Organisation about the origins of COVID-19 virus has not considered the lab theory in a balanced manner. 

WHO-led group of scientists, including Chinese scientists, had spent four weeks in China in January and February to investigate about the origins. In the final report, the premier health organisation said that the virus probably originated from an animal and transmitted to humans, denying it as a laboratory incident. 

Also Read: Indian variant may delay UK lockdown easing: PM Boris Johnson

But, the latest letter by leading scientists conflict the report by WHO. “We must take hypotheses about both natural and laboratory spillovers seriously until we have sufficient data,” the team of scientists said, demanding a rigorous investigation into the origins of the virus.