Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo shared intelligence with the United Kingdom suggesting a “high likelihood” that the coronavirus leaked from a Chinese lab during the COVID-19 pandemic. The intelligence was shared with the UK, as well as representatives from New Zealand, Canada, and Australia, through an alliance known as “Five Eyes.” Two former Trump administration officials believe that the UK government ignored the lab leak theory due to pressure from government scientists who leaned toward the theory that the illness had been transferred from animals to humans.
Documents, consisting of information collected in the early days of the pandemic, were shared with the UK between October and December 2020. The reports accused Chinese officials of “stonewalling,” as well as “gross corruption and ineptitude.” Additionally, the information revealed that the Chinese military had been collaborating with the Wuhan Institute of Virology for years prior to the pandemic, and that lab researchers had fallen ill before COVID-19 was first reported in the area.
On May 1, the U.S. House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic called for a criminal investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 virus. This call came after an interim staff report accused EcoHealth Alliance President Dr. Peter Daszak of funding “dangerous gain-of-function research in Wuhan, China, without sufficient oversight.” EcoHealth Alliance, a research-focused NGO based in the U.S., was accused of using taxpayer dollars to fund research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China. However, EcoHealth Alliance disputes these claims.
It was reported that EcoHealth Alliance received millions of dollars in grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and that U.S. taxpayer funds were directed to Chinese entities conducting coronavirus research through EcoHealth Alliance. The allegations against EcoHealth have sparked a call for further investigation into the origins of the virus and the handling of research funding. The House committee is seeking answers and accountability regarding the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
The information shared by Pompeo and the ongoing investigations into the origins of COVID-19 have raised questions and concerns about the transparency and communication between nations regarding potential health threats. The reports have shed light on the possible connections between the Chinese military and the Wuhan Institute of Virology, as well as the handling of research funding by organizations like EcoHealth Alliance. The call for a criminal probe signals a growing recognition of the need for accountability and clarity in understanding the origins of the pandemic.
The revelations about the lab-leak theory and the accusations against EcoHealth Alliance have prompted discussions and debates about the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic by governments and organizations. The calls for investigation and accountability highlight the need for transparency and oversight in pandemic research and response efforts. The sharing of intelligence and information between countries like the U.S. and the UK underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing global health crises and ensuring the safety and security of populations worldwide.
