Leaked grant proposal details high-risk coronavirus research (theintercept.com)

Article summary

A leaked grant proposal from the EcoHealth Alliance to the US military research agency DARPA details plans for high-risk coronavirus research, including the insertion of human-specific cleavage sites into SARS-related bat coronaviruses. The proposal was rejected by DARPA in 2018, but some scientists believe it provides evidence that the group was working on risky areas of research. The revelation has shifted the debate over the origins of the pandemic, with some scientists arguing that it tips the scales towards the possibility of a lab origin. The proposal does not provide conclusive evidence, but it has sparked renewed discussion about the potential risks and consequences of such research.

Main themes

• lab leak theory
• gain-of-function research
• pandemic origins
• scientific transparency
• global health risks
• research regulation

What commenters say

• The lab leak theory is more plausible given the new evidence from the leaked grant proposal.
• The natural origin theory is still the most reasonable explanation, despite the new information.
• The pursuit of gain-of-function research is a global problem that requires international attention and regulation.
• The origin of the pandemic is less important than the fact that the virus is now present and requires a unified response.
• The actions of the EcoHealth Alliance and other research groups demonstrate a conflict of interest and a lack of transparency.
• The debate over the origins of the pandemic is driven by politics and speculation rather than scientific evidence.
• The risks of gain-of-function research outweigh any potential benefits and should be banned worldwide.
• The revelation of the grant proposal highlights the need for greater scrutiny and oversight of scientific research, particularly in the field of virology.