Since the outbreak of Covid-19 in the Chinese city of Wuhan three eventful years ago, there have been two main hypotheses about the origin of the virus.
The prevailing theory is that Covid-19 originated from close human-animal contact in Wuhan’s wet market. The second suggests that it happened as a result of an accidental leak from a laboratory in a city of nine million people.
Quickly dismissed as fodder for conspiracy theories by some, the lab leak hypothesis fell by the wayside, attracting only a few curious scientists or those who may have an increased interest in science fiction or tend to believe in conspiracies and cover-ups.
Then, in late February, the US Department of Energy said it currently believes that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid, most likely leaked from a laboratory in China, followed by a public statement from the US FBI in support of this theory. .
Neither agency provided new evidence to support a change in their views. Many scientists point out that there is no evidence that Covid leaked out of a lab, with other US government agencies saying the natural transition from animals to humans is the most likely explanation.
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This week, host Molly Blackall and science writer Stuart Ritchie, with the help of guests, delve into what modern science tells us about where Covid might actually have come from. Michael Sparrowevolutionary biologist and Jinghan Zeng, an expert on China and international relations.
Could it be that the lab leak theory was too quickly dismissed in favor of the prevailing consensus in the animal market? And if so, what does this tell us about how we study viruses in the lab?
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Source: I News
With a background in journalism and a passion for technology, I am an experienced writer and editor. As an author at 24 News Reporter, I specialize in writing about the latest news and developments within the tech industry. My work has been featured on various publications including Wired Magazine and Engadget.