The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has stated that COVID-19 pandemic is ‘’more likely’’ to have originated from a laboratory than from natural transmission. This marks a shift from the agency’s earlier neutral stance, where it said that there could be the possibility of natural origins and lab-based. The latest assessment, however, is described as having ‘’low confidence’’, indicating the challenges in bringing it to conclusion.
Shift in CIA’ approach on Covid-19’s origin
For years, the CIA has avoided making a conclusive determination about COVID-19’s origins. However, in the last days of the Biden administration, former CIA Director William Burns has given directions for giving preference to the matter, highlighting the significance of pandemic history. The reason behind this initiative is to clarify the virus’s origin as to whether it has come from a natural zoonotic transmission or it has resulted from a research-related incident.
Despite the renewed effort, the question still remains what is new intelligence on which this assessment has been made? A senior official has confirmed to Reuters that analysts are supporting that there is a possibility of both the stances.
China has rejected lab-leak claims as lacking credibility and has blamed the US of politicising the probe on COVID-19 origins. On the other hand, Beijing supports international research on the issue but it has been against US intelligence agencies involvement as it believes that it is an attempt to shift the focus on the other party.
Recently, newly confirmed CIA Director John Ratcliffe has openly given preference to transparency on the issue. He mentioned in an interview that the origins of the pandemic is a top priority, saying , ‘’science, common sense and intelligence’’ and indicating a lab-based origin particularly at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
The ongoing debate highlights the challenges of disclosing the truth about COVID-19’s origins, a matter that continues to hold importance.
(With inputs from Reuters)