Story at a glance
- Shi Zhengli, nicknamed “Bat Woman” leads a group of researchers that studies coronaviruses at the laboratory in the Chinese city where the pandemic began.
- The theory that the virus may have accidentally leaked from the lab has gained traction in recent months as the exact source of the new coronavirus still remains unknown.
- Shi denied claims researchers from the institute had sought treatment for flu-like symptoms just before the pandemic.
As calls grow louder for a more thorough and transparent investigation into the origin of SARS-CoV-2, a top Chinese virologist from the Wuhan Institute of Virology says the theory that the coronavirus behind the COVID-19 pandemic escaped from the lab is baseless.
Shi Zhengli, nicknamed “Bat Woman,” leads a group of researchers that studies bat coronaviruses at the laboratory located in the Chinese city where the pandemic began.
READ MORE STORIES FROM CHANGING AMERICA
WHO ADVISER ACCUSES CHINA OF ‘MASSIVE’ AND STILL-ACTIVE COVID-19 COVER-UP
CHILDREN NOW ACCOUNT FOR 25 PERCENT OF COVID-19 CASES, HEALTH EXPERTS REVEAL
WHO REPORTS THE DELTA VARIANT OF COVID-19 HAS SPREAD TO 62 COUNTRIES
FAUCI BOMBSHELL: ‘NOT CONVINCED’ COVID-19 DEVELOPED NATURALLY OUTSIDE WUHAN LAB
NEW STUDY SHOWS DOGS CAN DETECT COVID-19 IN UNDER ONE SECOND
In an interview with The New York Times, Shi said there was no evidence that the virus leaked from the institute.
“How on earth can I offer up evidence for something where there is no evidence,” she told the Times.
“I don’t know how the world has come to this, constantly pouring filth on an innocent scientist,” she added.
The theory that the virus may have accidentally leaked from the lab has gained traction in recent months as the exact source of the new coronavirus still remains unknown.
Groups of prominent scientists have called for a deeper and truly independent investigation into the virus’s origins following a probe by the World Health Organization (WHO), arguing that WHO officials were not given proper access to necessary data by Chinese authorities. Researchers said the lab leak theory was dismissed too hastily by WHO officials without a real investigation.
Our country is in a historic fight against the Coronavirus. Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news.
President Biden last month ordered his intelligence community to further investigate the origins of COVID-19 and submit a report in the coming months outlining the most likely origin scenario, while Group of Seven leaders also called for a renewed investigation.
During the Times interview, Shi also pushed back against a recent Wall Street Journal report that three researchers from the institute had sought treatment for flu-like symptoms about a month before the first COVID-19 cases were reported.
“The Wuhan Institute of Virology has not come across such cases,” she said. “If possible, can you provide the names of the three to help us check?”
She also denied conducting or cooperating in gain-of-function experiments — research in which scientists make a pathogen more infectious to develop more effective treatments and vaccines.
“I’m sure that I did nothing wrong,” she said. “So I have nothing to fear.”
READ MORE STORIES FROM CHANGING AMERICA
CDC IS INVESTIGATING REPORTS OF MILD HEART INFLAMMATION AFTER VACCINATIONS
IF I’M VACCINATED, WHY SHOULD I CARE IF UNVACCINATED PEOPLE DON’T WEAR MASKS?
TEXAS REPORTS ZERO COVID-19 DEATHS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER A YEAR
THE COVID-19 VARIANT FIRST IDENTIFIED IN INDIA HAS BEEN FOUND IN THE US
RARE ‘BLACK FUNGUS’ INCREASINGLY FOUND IN COVID-19 PATIENTS IN INDIA
Published on Jun 14,2021