New theory about the origin of Covid-19: Animals or lab leak may not be the cause
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The origin of Covid-19 has been a hot topic since the pandemic began. While the US authorities claim that the virus may be of laboratory origin, many scientific organizations believe that it is of animal origin. However, a Chinese scientist has a new theory that the main source of Covid-19 may actually be humans.
Tong Yigang of Beijing University of Chemical Technology said that the genetic sequences of viral samples from Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan, which is believed to be the zero point of the pandemic, are "almost the same" as those of patients infected with the coronavirus, suggesting that Covid-19 may be of human origin.
Speaking at a press conference held by the Chinese State Council on research into the origin of the virus, Tong stated that more than 1,300 environmental and frozen animal samples were taken between January 2020 and March 2020. He also said that there is not yet enough evidence to support recent studies suggesting that raccoons are the source of the Covid-19 virus.
Zhou Lei from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also spoke at the event, suggesting that the place where Covid-19 was first discovered may not be the actual origin of the virus. He called for global cooperation to find the actual source of the virus.
However, China has been criticized in the past for hindering international research into the origin of the virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced earlier this week that it still had not received important data from China regarding the onset of the epidemic. Despite this, China has repeatedly stated that it is transparent and in cooperation with the WHO.
The controversy over the origin of the virus resurfaced last month after the US Department of Energy assessed that the virus was most likely the result of a laboratory accident. However, Zhou dismissed the lab leak theory, saying it was "extremely unlikely."
The discussion around the origin of Covid-19 is ongoing, with scientists and organizations continuing to explore different theories. However, Tong's theory that the virus may be of human origin adds a new dimension to the debate.
