The CIA is shifting its stance on the origins of COVID-19, revealing new information about laboratories in Wuhan.
The Central Intelligence Agency of the United States has released an updated analysis that lends weight to the theory of a laboratory leak as the source of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was reported by The New York Times, as conveyed by UNN.
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The agency has long refrained from taking a clear stance, stating that there is insufficient compelling evidence for both the natural origin of the virus and its leak from a laboratory in China's Wuhan province. However, the new findings take into account additional data regarding the operational conditions of high-security laboratories in Wuhan in the lead-up to the pandemic.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe identified establishing the source of the virus as a priority, emphasizing that this issue is crucial not only for the scientific community but also for geopolitical relations between the U.S. and China. The renewed focus on investigating the origins of COVID-19 marks a shift in approach aimed at a more in-depth examination of the working conditions of Chinese scientific institutions.
Debates over the causes of the pandemic continue to be a battleground for supporters of various theories. Some focus on searching for the animal origin of the virus, while others demand a more detailed analysis of laboratory research that could have led to its accidental leak.
Despite the ramping up of efforts, none of the theories have received unequivocal confirmation. Nevertheless, the political weight of the CIA's new assessment could alter the approach to investigations at the international level, increasing pressure on China regarding transparency on this issue.
Among the agency's prospective steps are expanding access to data and coordinating with international partners. However, experts warn that obtaining additional evidence may remain an extremely challenging task due to limited access to Chinese laboratories.