Pouch, "White House Orders Cancellation of Bat Virus Research Funding"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), sparked controversy by stating at the White House that funding for bat virus research related to COVID-19 was canceled. Speculation is rising that the White House canceled funding for the Wuhan Institute of Virology due to conspiracy theories surrounding bat virus research.

According to the U.S. political media outlet Politico on the 24th (local time), Fauci testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee the previous day, saying, "The White House instructed to cancel funding for a project studying how the COVID-19 virus spreads from bats to humans," and added, "I do not know the reason, but I was instructed to cancel it." In a subsequent interview with Politico, Fauci explained, "The White House directed to cut the research grant for EcoHealth Alliance, a nonprofit organization conducting the project."

Politico reported that the decision to cancel the project funding was made in April, shortly after media reports emerged that EcoHealth Alliance was collaborating with the Wuhan Institute of Virology on the project for joint investigation. The Wuhan Institute of Virology has been the subject of conspiracy theories both inside and outside the U.S. claiming it was the origin of the COVID-19 virus.

According to Politico, a White House official stated that the decision to cancel the research funding was made by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), not the White House. An HHS spokesperson said, "Funding was canceled because the grant policy was not complied with," and declined further comment. Politico noted that speculation is growing that the White House canceled funding due to conspiracy theories about the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.