Health

COVID Origin Theories: Gain-of-Function Research

Maxim SorokopudMaxim Sorokopud
date
19th May 2021
Last update
date
10:29 pm
19th May 2021
COVID Origin Theories: Gain-of-Function Research
Scientists believe that an animal is the likely origin (Getty Images).

Emerging story

During a May 11th Senate Health Committee hearing, Dr. Anthony Fauci and Senator Rand Paul entered into a fiery exchange regarding the origin of the coronavirus pandemic. During the exchange, Senator Paul stated the following: “Government authorities, self interested in continuing gain-of-function research, say there’s nothing to see here." He defined gain-of-function research as "juicing up naturally occurring animal viruses to infect humans.” 

Paul then claimed that an American virologist, Dr. Ralph Baric, had been collaborating with Dr. Shi Zhengli of the Wuhan Institute of Virology to create superviruses. He also added that this research was funded via the National Institutes of Health. 

Dr. Fauci responded that Senator Paul was incorrect. He also stated that Dr. Baric was not conducting gain-of-function research. 

A range of social media accounts have used this exchange to promote the claim that gain-of-function research is the cause of the coronavirus pandemic. 

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classificationSensationalized

Misbar’s Analysis

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