CIA's 'Virus Report': A political farce, a scientific joke

Editor's note:CGTN's First Voice provides instant commentary on breaking stories. The column clarifies emerging issues and better defines the news agenda, offering a Chinese perspective on the latest global events.

On January 25, the CIA's declassified report on the origins of COVID-19 was released and its content is utterly absurd. The report claims that the virus most likely originated from a lab, yet admits a lack of confidence in this conclusion. Isn't this self-contradictory and laughable? Such an ambiguous and scientifically unsound "report" is a blatant affront to global pandemic efforts and the scientific spirit.

The scientific community has already reached a broad consensus: The natural origin of COVID-19 is highly probable. Joint expert teams from the World Health Organization have conducted multiple in-depth investigations, clearly concluding that it is "extremely unlikely" that the virus was transmitted to humans through a laboratory.

The prestigious academic journalSciencepublished an article on February 6, 2024, stating that a survey showed respondents assigned a 77 percent probability to a zoonosis. The international authoritative medical journalthe Lancetpublished an article in August 2024 titled "COVID-19 Origins: Plain Speaking is Overdue." The article stated that those who peddle suggestions of laboratory involvement have consistently failed to present credible arguments and that the scientific view that COVID-19 originated from wildlife should have been accepted by the public long ago.

In contrast, the CIA, without scientific evidence or professional research, attempts to rewrite scientific conclusions based solely on intelligence analysis. What else could this be if not meddling?

Behind the CIA's actions, there are likely ulterior political motives. In recent years, some American politicians, to smear China and deflect blame for their own ineffective pandemic response, have continuously hyped false claims such as "lab leaks." The CIA's declassification of the so-called "report" is merely a continuation of this political manipulation.

Speaking of laboratories, the U.S.'s Fort Detrick biological laboratory is a "time bomb." Over the years, Fort Detrick has been implicated in numerous incidents. In July 2019, Fort Detrick was suddenly shut down for "not having adequate systems to purify laboratory wastewater," but the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention refused to release further details. Almost simultaneously, an outbreak of an unexplained respiratory illness occurred in the nearby communities.

Moreover, Fort Detrick has long conducted dangerous biological experiments. It has conducted experiments with anthrax, a deadly bacterium that could have disastrous consequences if leaked. In the 2001 U.S. anthrax attacks, investigative leads once pointed to Fort Detrick, although the investigation ultimately went nowhere, leaving many doubts. Furthermore, Fort Detrick has also conducted research on various high-risk viruses, including Ebola and smallpox, which have extremely high transmission risks and are reportedly handled carelessly.

Additionally, the U.S. has established more than 200 biological laboratories around the world. These laboratories disregard international rules, operate in secrecy and lack safety oversight. Who can guarantee that they won't trigger a biochemical crisis? The U.S., with its poor track record on biosecurity, has no grounds to make accusations against other countries. Isn't this the classic case of the "thief crying 'stop thief'"?

The origin of COVID-19 is a serious scientific question that should not tolerate any political manipulation. The CIA's "report" is nothing more than a piece of waste paper and a laughing stock for the international community. The U.S. must immediately stop this irresponsible farce, respect scientific facts, and return to the right track of international cooperation in fighting the pandemic. Otherwise, its despicable actions will be spurned by the whole world, and it will not be able to cover up its numerous crimes in pandemic response and biosecurity.