"UK Intelligence Agencies Believe COVID-19 'Wuhan Origin Theory' Is Possible"

US and UK Strongly Raise 'Wuhan Origin Theory'
"COVID-19 Possibly Artificially Manipulated in China"
US Experts "All Pressure Must Be Applied on China for Investigation Cooperation"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Following the United States, British intelligence agencies have also strongly suggested the possibility that COVID-19 leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, further expanding the controversy over the "China origin theory." In the UK scientific community, claims have been raised that COVID-19 may not have occurred naturally but could have been artificially manipulated, increasing calls for an international investigation into its origins.

On the 30th (local time), The Times of the UK cited sources from British intelligence agencies, reporting, "Western intelligence agencies, including those in the UK, consider the possibility that COVID-19 originated from the Wuhan Institute of Virology to be plausible." They added, "Initially, the Wuhan Institute of Virology origin theory was considered unlikely, but now very strong suspicions are being raised within the scientific community."

According to the UK Daily Mail, the day before, Professor Angus Dalgleish of St George's University Medical School in the UK and Dr. Birger Sørensen, a virology expert from Norway, co-authored a paper claiming that "the possibility of COVID-19 virus occurring naturally is very low" based on their analysis of the virus.

In their paper, they stated, "An organic compound structure that is difficult to occur naturally was found in the spike protein of the COVID-19 virus, which appears to be evidence that Chinese research institutions conducted gain-of-function research to enhance naturally occurring coronaviruses." They also argued, "There are traces of attempts to cover up such artificial manipulation and make it appear as if the virus occurred naturally."

U.S. infectious disease experts have also continued to support suspicions regarding the China origin theory. Peter Hotez, director of the National School of Tropical Medicine in the U.S., said in an interview with NBC on the same day, "There is no clear evidence that COVID-19 occurred naturally, and on-site investigations in China are essential for origin research." He emphasized, "To ensure scientists have unlimited access to investigations in China, much stronger pressure must be applied to China along with all possible sanctions." He warned, "If we do not know the origin of COVID-19, COVID-26 and COVID-32 could emerge at any time."

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