WHO Advisory Panel: "Laboratory Leak Theory of COVID-19 in China Must Be Investigated... Missing Data from China"

A nucleic acid test being conducted at a COVID-19 detection laboratory in Wuhan, China. / Photo by Xinhua·Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] An international scientific advisory group advising the World Health Organization (WHO) on the origin investigation of COVID-19 has recommended that the possibility of the virus leaking from a laboratory in Wuhan, China, should also be investigated.

On the 9th (local time), WHO released a preliminary report submitted by the 'Scientific Advisory Group for Origins of Novel Pathogens' (SAGO), consisting of 27 scientists from various countries including the United States, China, Germany, and Russia, on its website.

In the report, SAGO stated that while it is highly likely that the virus was transmitted from animals to humans, it is uncertain which animal or through what route, and recommended extensive further investigations.

The advisory group noted that since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, in December 2019, missing data from China has made it impossible to accurately determine how the virus was transmitted to humans.

Foreign media, including the Associated Press (AP), highlighted that SAGO also recommended investigating the "possibility that the coronavirus entered the population through breaches in biosafety and biosecurity measures due to a laboratory accident."

In particular, SAGO proposed investigating the staff responsible for safety and security at laboratories near Wuhan, the initial outbreak site, and verifying whether genetic manipulation of the coronavirus or animal experiments were conducted.

However, SAGO stated that three scientists from Russia, Brazil, and China among its members did not agree to investigate the laboratory leak possibility, citing a lack of new scientific evidence to doubt the WHO investigation team's March 2021 report.

Preliminary report submitted by the World Health Organization (WHO) Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO). / Photo by Yonhap News, report capture

Previously, the WHO investigation team judged that COVID-19 was likely transmitted from bats to humans via another animal, and that the "laboratory leak possibility" was very low.

This report essentially reverses that conclusion, and AP reported that criticism may resurface that WHO too readily accepted the Chinese government's explanation, which denied early responsibility for COVID-19.

Until now, some, including former President Donald Trump, have claimed the laboratory leak theory and alleged that WHO colluded with China to cover up China's responsibility.

The U.S. House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis tweeted, "Americans who asked whether COVID-19 leaked from a lab were labeled 'conspiracy theorists.' Now WHO is asking the same question," adding, "We want answers."

Jamie Metzl, an expert participating in another WHO advisory group, stated, "The Chinese government still refuses to share essential raw data and does not allow a full investigation of the Wuhan laboratory," adding, "Obtaining this information is crucial to understanding how COVID-19 started and preventing future pandemics."

SAGO noted that data from investigations of early confirmed cases in Wuhan by the Chinese side are necessary, and that WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus sent two letters in February 2022 to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Ma Xiaowei, head of the National Health Commission (NHC), requesting the data. However, it is unclear whether the data were received.

Meanwhile, WHO launched the 'Scientific Advisory Group for Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO)' last October to prepare for new diseases that could cause pandemics like COVID-19 and is conducting investigations into the origin of COVID-19.

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