US scientist dismisses Trump’s coronavirus Wuhan lab claims

WASHINGTON: Top US scientist Dr Anthony Fauci has again dismissed claims that the coronavirus was created in a Chinese laboratory.

“If you look at the evolution of the virus in bats and what’s out there now, [the evidence] is very, very strongly leaning toward this could not have been artificially or deliberately manipulated,” Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said in an interview.

“Everything about the stepwise evolution over time strongly indicates that [this virus] evolved in nature and then jumped species,” Fauci said.

US President Donald Trump has claimed he has seen evidence that gives him a “high degree of confidence” that the virus began in the Chinese state-backed Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday there was “significant amount of evidence” that the virus emerged from a Chinese laboratory. He did not dispute US intelligence agencies’ conclusion that it was not man-made.

The Wuhan Institute of Virology has dismissed the allegation, and other US officials have downplayed the likelihood that it is true. China has called the claims “insane” and experts believe the virus originated in a Wuhan market selling wildlife.

Trump said the US would release its report detailing the origins of the novel coronavirus over time, but gave no other details or timeline. Top US general Mark Milley has said it was still not known whether the coronavirus emerged from a wet market in China, the institute of virology or some other location.

Trump also said Fauci would be allowed to appear next week before a panel in the US Senate examining the country’s coronavirus response but could not testify to the Democratic-led House of Representatives.

Trump defended his decision to block the nation’s top infectious disease expert from appearing before the House, saying he was being set up by Democrats who hate him and want to win back the White House in November’s presidential election.

The White House had recently issued guidance that no taskforce members or deputies may accept hearing invitations” for the rest of the month. Fauci is a member of the taskforce. 

Fauci is scheduled to appear before a US Senate committee on May 12 along with other top US health officials. He has not shied away from contradicting Trump’s claims if they go against scientific data or evidence.

Fauci warned against a rush to reopen state economies, saying it may have dire consequences down the road. He has also criticised state governments that were beginning to reopen their economies.