Dr. Anthony Fauci and NIAID's Role in Covid-19 Research

NIAID and Gain-of-Function Research

Dr. Anthony Fauci has been leading the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) for many years. During his tenure, he lifted the ban on gain-of-function research, which involves enhancing potential pandemic pathogens. This move has led to such research being conducted in universities and labs across the globe.

Appointment of Key Personnel

Dr. Fauci appointed several individuals to key positions within NIAID, including his deputy, David Morens. Recently, the Covid Select Committee, which is investigating the public health policy response and the origins of Covid-19, called Morens to testify. Morens admitted to deleting emails to avoid Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and to assisting EcoHealth Alliance president Peter Daszak in crafting letters to the NIH. This behavior raises serious ethical concerns and conflicts of interest.

Investigating Covid-19 Origins

Some Democrats on the committee have claimed that these investigations are not bringing us any closer to understanding the origins of the virus. However, to seriously consider the lab origin theory, it is necessary to investigate scientists who conducted relevant research and may have bypassed transparency or federal records retention requirements.

Role of Labs in Virus Research

Labs are composed of scientists who write grants and conduct research. Dr. Fauci, as the head of NIAID, was responsible for managing risky research. His office funded Dr. Peter Daszak’s gain-of-function research on bat SARS-related coronaviruses in Wuhan. Therefore, to investigate a lab-origin theory, we must examine the actions of scientists, funders, and everyone involved in the process.

Independent Consultation for the Committee

Investigations into scientists have indeed advanced our understanding of Covid origins. These investigations have uncovered valuable scientific insights, even though it is uncomfortable to scrutinize scientists’ actions and grants.

Understanding the Origins of SARS-CoV-2

Early Beliefs About the Virus Origin

In 2020, Kristian Andersen initially believed that SARS-CoV-2 likely originated in a lab. Independent journalists discovered that Andersen and his colleagues informed Dr. Fauci of their belief, which would have implications for his agency if the pandemic was caused by gain-of-function research funded by his agency.

The DEFUSE Proposal

The DEFUSE proposal is a key part of the lab-origin theory of SARS-CoV-2. The proposal, by Peter Daszak, Ralph Baric, Linfa Wang, Shi ZhengLi, and others, suggested modifying bat SARS-related coronaviruses in ways that are consistent with the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2. This proposal provides a clear research program for lab origin theories.

Lab Origin Predictions

There is more evidence supporting the lab origin of SARS-CoV-2, such as the lack of zoonotic evidence that we should have found by now. The DEFUSE collaborators had never published a paper together before, but they were all together in 2019 on an NIAID call and grant studying bat SARS-related coronaviruses in Wuhan. This suggests that NIAID may have funded this work.

Obstruction of FOIA Requests

Efforts to obtain information from NIAID through FOIA requests have been hindered by a lack of transparency. Initial FOIA requests resulted in hundreds of pages of redactions, followed by lawsuits to obtain unredacted versions. The unredacted versions revealed that the original reasons for the redactions were unjustified.

Uncovering the Truth About Covid-19 Origins

Lab-Origin Theory Predictions for 2023

In 2023, the lab-origin theory made several predictions that could only be confirmed or refuted by examining lab notebooks of researchers involved in the DEFUSE-related program. These predictions included discussions about the furin cleavage site, the use of a "6-segment assembly," and plans to conduct work in Wuhan instead of UNC.

Obtaining Drafts of DEFUSE

In 2024, Emily Kopp at US Right to Know obtained a draft of DEFUSE via a FOIA request. This draft confirmed all three lab-origin predictions, providing strong evidence for the lab-origin theory.

Understanding the Origins of SARS-CoV-2

Investigations into scientists and science funders have led to significant advances in our understanding of the origins of SARS-CoV-2. The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that SARS-CoV-2 originated in a lab. However, we still need to investigate further to clear the names of researchers and preserve scientific institutions.

Importance of Investigating Lab Notebooks and Communications

To take the lab-origin theory seriously, we must examine the activities and communications of researchers who proposed the relevant research. This is an uncomfortable task, but it is necessary to uncover the truth and clear the names of innocent researchers.

Conclusion

Investigations into the origins of SARS-CoV-2 have made significant progress, but there is still much to learn. The evidence overwhelmingly suggests a lab origin for the virus, but we need to continue investigating to clear the names of innocent researchers and preserve scientific institutions. This task is left to investigative journalists, scientists, and citizens. We must proceed with courage, caution, and impartial consultation.

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