CIA assesses lab origin of Covid-19 with low confidence
The CIA now believes the virus responsible for the coronavirus pandemic most likely originated from a laboratory, according to an assessment released on Saturday that points the finger at China.
Despite this finding, the agency acknowledged that it has "low confidence" in its conclusion. This assessment is not based on new intelligence, but rather it was completed at the request of the Biden administration and former CIA director William Burns.
The report was declassified and released on Saturday by John Ratcliffe, who was recently sworn in as CIA director.
The nuanced finding suggests that the agency considers a lab origin more likely than a natural origin, despite the evidence being described as deficient, inconclusive or contradictory.
Previous reports have divided over whether the coronavirus emerged from a Chinese lab or arose naturally. Intelligence officials indicate that the origin debate may never be fully resolved due to a lack of cooperation from Chinese authorities.
The CIA stated that “both research-related and natural origin scenarios of the Covid-19 pandemic remain plausible.” This conclusion was drawn from new analyses of intelligence regarding the virus's spread, its scientific properties, and the workings of China's virology labs.
The origins of the virus remain a focal point for American lawmakers, leading to pressure on intelligence agencies for more transparency on this issue, which has led to lockdowns, economic upheaval, and significant loss of life.
Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas expressed his approval of the CIA's findings, stating that the lab-leak theory is the most plausible explanation and pushing for accountability from China.
China's embassy in Washington has yet to respond to requests for comment, as Chinese officials have previously dismissed such speculation as politically motivated.
While the exact origin of the virus is still unknown, scientific consensus suggests it likely circulated in bats before infecting another species and then humans, possibly at a market in Wuhan, where the first human cases were reported in late November 2019.
Past investigations have proposed that the virus may have escaped from a lab in Wuhan, with some reports from the Energy Department and the FBI supporting this notion, albeit with low confidence.
Ratcliffe has stated that he supports the lab leak theory, stating that it is the only explanation backed by science, intelligence, and common sense.
The CIA has indicated it will continue to review any new information that might change its evaluation.
