Dr. Anthony Fauci testified before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, addressing what he called 'seriously distorted' issues surrounding the origin of the virus that led to the Covid-19 pandemic. Fauci recounted his involvement in discussions with scientists in early 2020 regarding the potential lab manipulation of the virus.
Fauci mentioned that after phone calls with scientists expressing concerns about the virus's origin, he participated in a conference call with international virologists to discuss the possibility of lab manipulation or natural spillover. The virologists ultimately concluded, after examining the genomic sequence, that the virus was most likely transferred from an animal to a human.
Addressing accusations of influencing scientists with grant money, Fauci vehemently denied such claims, emphasizing that he had no input into a paper published in March 2020 discussing the virus's origins. He stressed that the scientific community remains open-minded about the virus's origin, with most experts leaning towards zoonotic transmission from animals to humans.
While US intelligence agencies have stated that the virus was not genetically engineered, the exact origins of the pandemic remain unclear. The World Health Organization and leading scientists have investigated the virus's origins, with some studies suggesting the possibility of a lab leak from the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China.
Fauci reiterated his stance of keeping an open mind regarding the virus's origin, acknowledging the complexities of the situation in China. He emphasized the need for continued research and investigation to determine the true origins of the Covid-19 virus.
