Origin of Covid-19: a US intelligence report points to gray areas
US President Joe Biden accused China of lacking transparency and withholding information about the origin of the virus (Image illustration).
SAUL LOEB AFP
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
The US intelligence report on the virus responsible for Covid-19 was revealed on Friday, August 27.
There are many gray areas on the origins of this epidemic, but experts rule out any genetic manipulation.
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With our correspondent in New York,
Loubna Anaki
While the report does not answer all the questions, it does rule out certain theories.
According to American intelligence, no, the virus is not the result of genetic manipulation and no it was not designed as a biological weapon.
►Also read: Origins of Covid-19: scientists call for a new investigation
To arrive at their conclusions, the intelligence experts in charge of this mission studied hundreds of data over three months.
But they failed to provide answers as to the origins of this epidemic: leakage from a laboratory or natural contact between a human and a sick animal.
Both theories remain plausible according to the report which also points out that the Chinese government is unlikely to have been aware of this virus before the start of the pandemic.
Joe Biden accuses China of lacking transparency
This audit was carried out at the request of Joe Biden.
The US president issued a statement following this report.
He accuses China of lacking transparency and hiding information.
The president calls on Beijing to allow international experts to conduct their investigations on the spot.
"
Even if our audit is finished, we will not stop seeking the truth about this pandemic
", assures Joe Biden.
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United States
Joe biden
Coronavirus
China