TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The White House has renewed debate over the origins of COVID-19, alleging that the virus most likely emerged from a laboratory-related incident in Wuhan, China.
In a report titled “Lab Leak: The True Origins of COVID-19,” the White House argues that the evidence at hand indicates a research-related accident rather than a natural spillover from animals.
The White House says its assessment is based on several factors, including coronavirus research conducted at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, reports of illnesses among researchers before the outbreak was publicly identified, and the absence of a confirmed animal source for the virus.
Why the US government supports the lab leak theory
According to the White House, the Wuhan Institute of Virology's research on bat coronaviruses is a key reason to consider a laboratory-related origin.
The Trump administration also points to reports that some researchers at the institute experienced COVID-19-like symptoms before the outbreak was widely recognized. The White House argues that these reports raise questions about whether an accidental exposure may have occurred during research.
Another point highlighted by the White House is the lack of a confirmed animal intermediary that transmitted SARS-CoV-2 to humans. The administration says this absence weakens the natural spillover explanation.
White House criticizes pandemic research oversight
Beyond the virus's origin, the White House release criticizes the oversight of coronavirus research involving several institutions and organizations, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and EcoHealth Alliance.
The White House argues that US-funded research involving coronaviruses, including work conducted through partnerships with institutions in China, lacked sufficient oversight. It specifically criticizes the role of EcoHealth Alliance in supporting coronavirus research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology and questions the review process used by U.S. agencies.
The statement also criticizes the World Health Organization (WHO), claiming that it failed to adequately investigate the origins of the virus and was not transparent enough during the early stages of the pandemic.
Read: US Walks Out of UN Meeting After France Criticizes Trump's Human Rights Record
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