Coronavirus originated in China but was ‘not man-made or genetically modified’, US spy agencies conclude
- Trump administration has sharpened its rhetoric on China, accusing it of failing to act swiftly enough to stop the spread of the virus that causes Covid-19
- Scientists say the virus arose naturally in bats. Even so, Pompeo and others have pointed fingers at an institute that is run by the Chinese Academy of Sciences
US intelligence agencies have concluded that the new coronavirus was “not man-made or genetically modified” but say they are still examining whether the origins of the pandemic trace to contact with infected animals or an accident at a Chinese lab.
The statement from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the clearing house for the web of US spy agencies, comes as US President Donald Trump and his allies have touted the as-yet-unproven theory that an infectious disease lab in Wuhan, the original epicentre of the Chinese outbreak, was the source of the global pandemic that has so far killed more than 220,000 people worldwide.
In recent days, the Trump administration has sharpened its rhetoric on China, accusing the US’ geopolitical foe and vital trading partner of failing to act swiftly enough to stop the spread of the virus that causes Covid-19 or sound the alarm to the world about the outbreak.
“The Intelligence Community also concurs with the wide scientific consensus that the Covid-19 virus was not man-made or genetically modified,” the statement said.
“The IC will continue to rigorously examine emerging information and intelligence to determine whether the outbreak began through contact with infected animals or if it was the result of an accident at a laboratory in Wuhan.”
Trump addressed the theory earlier this month, saying, “More and more, we’re hearing the story.” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo added: “The mere fact that we don’t know the answers – that China hasn’t shared the answers – I think is very, very telling.”