New U.S. intelligence report sheds little light on covid origins
Washington PostJul 03, 2023
US: 'No Direct Evidence' Lab Leak Behind COVID, But Not Ruled Out
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The Facts
On Friday, the US Office of the Director for National Intelligence (ODNI) declassified a 10-page report stating that intelligence agencies have found no direct proof that the COVID pandemic stemmed from an incident at China's Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIH).
The report, however, didn't exclude the theory as spy agencies remain split on whether the virus passed to humans via an infected animal or a laboratory accident.
The Spin
Republican narrative
While this report was released late and failed to be fully transparent with the American people and members of Congress, its findings actually indicate that the lab leak theory is a likely explanation for the origins of the COVID pandemic as the virus is likely to be a chimera between two other existing viruses with which WIV scientists were working. The investigation must continue to finally unearth the truth.
Democratic narrative
Despite backlash from some GOP lawmakers who claim the Biden admin. is concealing classified information, the US intelligence community remains divided over how the pandemic began as Beijing continuously obstructs independent reviews. Given the inconclusiveness of reports that would lend weight to the lab leak theory, conclusions shouldn't be drawn.
