A comprehensive new study published in the journal Cell has cast serious doubt on the theory that the Covid-19 virus originated from a laboratory in Wuhan, China. Instead, the research, led by the University of Edinburgh and involving 20 institutions worldwide, concludes that the virus most likely evolved naturally in bat populations in northern Laos and Yunnan province in southwest China years before the pandemic began.

The study presents what it describes as the strongest genetic evidence to date debunking the controversial “lab leak” theory, which has been promoted by various U.S. officials, including former President Donald Trump. The White House recently reiterated this claim on an updated government website, labeling the origin of Covid-19 with the terms “LAB LEAK,” “TRUTH,” and “ORIGIN” in bold capital letters.

However, the study’s findings point elsewhere. By analyzing the genomes of 167 bat-borne sarbecoviruses — the group that includes both SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 — researchers reconstructed the evolutionary path of the Covid-19 virus. They traced its most recent common ancestor (MRCA) to bat populations active five to seven years before the virus first emerged in Wuhan in late 2019.

However, the study’s findings point elsewhere. By analyzing the genomes of 167 bat-borne sarbecoviruses — the group that includes both SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 — researchers reconstructed the evolutionary path of the Covid-19 virus. They traced its most recent common ancestor (MRCA) to bat populations active five to seven years before the virus first emerged in Wuhan in late 2019.

“The data clearly indicate that the progenitor of SARS-CoV-2 was circulating in bats thousands of kilometers away from Wuhan,” said lead author Jonathan Pekar. “This puts the virus’s evolutionary origins well outside the geographic scope of Wuhan’s research facilities.”

Notably, researchers estimate that the virus’s MRCA dates back to around 2017, with the closest viral relatives found in bats from northern Laos — more than 2,700 kilometers from Wuhan. This distance far exceeds the typical natural range of bat movement, suggesting human-driven factors, such as wildlife trade, were more likely responsible for transporting the virus closer to urban populations.

Notably, researchers estimate that the virus’s MRCA dates back to around 2017, with the closest viral relatives found in bats from northern Laos — more than 2,700 kilometers from Wuhan. This distance far exceeds the typical natural range of bat movement, suggesting human-driven factors, such as wildlife trade, were more likely responsible for transporting the virus closer to urban populations.

Senior author Michael Worobey, an evolutionary biologist from the University of Arizona, emphasized the role of the wildlife trade in spreading zoonotic diseases. “The Sars-CoV-1 virus also appeared far from its bat origins due to intermediate hosts like palm civets and raccoon dogs. This pattern likely repeated with Sars-CoV-2,” he said.

The findings support the hypothesis that Covid-19, like past pandemics such as the 1910 Manchurian plague, may have spread through human transportation networks rather than direct animal migration. In the case of Covid-19, illegal or poorly regulated wildlife trade may have played a central role in introducing the virus to Wuhan.

The findings support the hypothesis that Covid-19, like past pandemics such as the 1910 Manchurian plague, may have spread through human transportation networks rather than direct animal migration. In the case of Covid-19, illegal or poorly regulated wildlife trade may have played a central role in introducing the virus to Wuhan.

While the study strengthens the case for a natural origin, it does not completely resolve the mystery of how SARS-CoV-2 made the leap from bats to humans. The specific intermediary species and location of the first transmission remain unidentified, underscoring the complexity of tracing zoonotic spillover events.

China’s National Health Commission responded to persistent lab leak claims by suggesting that early cases may have occurred outside China, including the United States. The commission called for broader international collaboration in tracing the pandemic’s true origins.

Once believed to be the epicenter of the outbreak, Wuhan’s Huanan Seafood Market has since been shuttered and repurposed — now serving as an eyeglasses marketplace.

As geopolitical debates over Covid-19’s origins continue, the study underscores the importance of evidence-based scientific inquiry in unraveling the pathways that lead to pandemics. Experts agree that understanding the natural reservoirs and mechanisms of viral emergence is essential to prevent future global health crises.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/slguardian.org...eak-theory/amp/

only western country capable of such high tech bio weapon technology to destroy countrys that resists western imperialism and bullying

While it's true that Western countries possess advanced biotechnology, the development and use of bioweapons is prohibited under international law, specifically the Biological Weapons Convention. Accusations of using such weapons should be based on verified facts, not assumptions or geopolitical narratives.

Actually it's nature that's a lot more destructive than anything man made but because of political reasons and conspiracy theories today, people just don't want to believe mother nature did it

Where Jbcoder

The theory of vaccines to depopulate humans how?

Some people don't even believe in the virus, let alone pay attention to any discussion on its origin.

Some kind of massive coverup going on.

Covid-19 is not natural

Fauci knows the truth and it is a dark one. Joe Biden pre-emptive pardoned Fauci for a good reason.

This post has been edited by Etude8891: May 24 2025, 11:25 AM

It's natural lah

From the beginning most scientists all say it's natural but the pandemic became political and conspiracy theories made it worse

In human history, all major pandemics were caused by nature but a lot of people today just won't believe the destructive power of nature is a lot more powerful than anything man made

globalist don't want you to own anything

the covid proves that

shop was shut down, people losing job

they force jab you with something

promising that you'll never be infected (which was a lie)

but the ultra rich was getting richer

why

because they are in the club and you dont


This post has been edited by h0riz0nLine: May 24 2025, 11:55 AM

Mother nature virus doesn't simply evolve rapidly until it becomes super contagious on humans.

Because there is a barrier between each species of animal and human, it takes time for the virus to evolve to spread easily in the new host species it migrated to.

Also, the way WHO reacts to it is completely reverse, should have did early lockdown on ground zero, block flight, and masking, to reduce exposure and spreading.

Instead, they do the complete opposite, they call country that block China travelers from entering their country as xenophobic, they say mask is useless, and lockdown is useless.

But after the whole world is infected, then they reverse all their initial ruling, mandatory block traveling, mandatory masking, and mandatory lockdown.

If you ask me, WHO has completely fail at their job from the very first day.

This post has been edited by smsid: May 24 2025, 12:18 PM