US Lawmakers End Two-Year Probe, Support COVID-19 Lab Leak Theory

In a significant conclusion to a two-year investigation, US lawmakers have endorsed the theory that COVID-19 likely originated from a laboratory leak in Wuhan, China. The findings, detailed in a 520-page report by the Republican-led House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, come after extensive review of over a million documents and more than 30 interviews.

Key Findings of the Investigation

The report delves into multiple facets of the pandemic, from federal responses to the virus’s origins. It asserts that SARS-CoV-2 likely emerged due to a “laboratory or research-related accident,” contradicting earlier theories suggesting a natural spillover from animals. The investigation also highlighted that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, a contentious topic throughout the pandemic.

Brad Wenstrup, the panel’s chairman, emphasized the report’s global significance, stating that it would help the US and the world better prepare for future pandemics. Despite this conclusion, scientific consensus remains elusive, with many experts, including the World Health Organization (WHO), favoring a natural origin for the virus.

Fauci Under Fire

Dr. Anthony Fauci, a central figure in the US pandemic response, faced intense scrutiny during the investigation. Lawmakers questioned his role in funding research at the Wuhan lab, though Fauci staunchly denied any involvement in a cover-up. He argued that the virus studied in Wuhan could not have been engineered to cause the COVID-19 pandemic.

Republicans have accused Fauci of contributing to the pandemic’s onset, with some alleging that he supported the research that may have led to the virus’s emergence. Fauci, now 83, has faced death threats and remains under security protection.

Beijing’s Strong Rebuttal

China swiftly dismissed the report, labeling it as baseless and politically motivated. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian criticized the findings, reiterating that the joint China-WHO investigation deemed a lab leak “extremely unlikely.” He accused the US of manipulating the pandemic for political purposes and fabricating evidence.

Pandemic Measures in Question

The report also scrutinized the effectiveness of pandemic containment strategies, claiming that lockdowns caused more harm than good and that mask mandates failed to control the virus’s spread—claims at odds with many public health studies. It did, however, praise Operation Warp Speed, the US government’s vaccine development initiative, as a major success.

A Divisive Legacy

As the world continues to grapple with the long-term effects of the pandemic, this report underscores the enduring debate over COVID-19’s origins and the effectiveness of various public health measures. With Beijing dismissing the findings and scientific consensus still divided, the controversy surrounding the lab leak theory is far from settled.

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