The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has released a declassified assessment suggesting that the COVID-19 virus most likely originated from a laboratory. The report, made public on Saturday under the directive of Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, concludes with "low confidence" that the virus emerged from a lab setting. The assessment was completed at the request of the Biden administration and former CIA director William Burns, indicating an ongoing exploration into the origins of the pandemic.
The assessment does not stem from any new intelligence but relies on fresh analyses of existing data concerning the virus's spread, scientific characteristics, and conditions in China's virology laboratories. Despite the CIA's efforts, intelligence officials caution that the true origins of COVID-19 may remain unresolved due to a lack of cooperation from Chinese authorities. A spokesperson for China's US embassy emphasized this sentiment, stating that the assessment lacks credibility.
"The purpose of the CIA is to protect Americans – keep us safe from foreign threats and foreign adversaries," said John Ratcliffe.
The lab leak theory previously surfaced in a report by the U.S. Department of Energy two years ago, which also concluded with low confidence that a laboratory incident was the most likely source. The CIA's recent assessment echoes this finding and has reignited discussions around the virus's origins.
"continues to assess that both research-related and natural origin scenarios of the Covid-19 pandemic remain plausible," according to the CIA.
Intelligence officials have faced challenges in reaching a definitive conclusion due to limited data and transparency from China. In response, Chinese authorities have dismissed speculation about COVID-19’s origins as politically motivated and unhelpful. Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for China's US embassy, stated:
"We firmly oppose the politicization and stigmatization of the source of the virus, and once again call on everyone to respect science and stay away from conspiracy theories."
The initial human cases of COVID-19 appeared at a market in Wuhan, China, in late November 2019, where it is believed the virus spread to humans who were handling or butchering animals. Despite these findings, the CIA has committed to evaluating any new information that could potentially alter their assessment.
Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas praised Ratcliffe for declassifying the assessment, arguing for holding China accountable for its role in the pandemic's spread.
"Now, the most important thing is to make China pay for unleashing a plague on the world," said Tom Cotton.
Ratcliffe highlighted that making such information public was crucial for rebuilding trust within American institutions.
"restore Americans’ trust in our own institutions," emphasized Ratcliffe.
Although some official investigations support the lab leak scenario, it remains one of multiple theories regarding the pandemic's origins. Ratcliffe further argued:
"The lab leak is the only theory supported by science, intelligence, and common sense."