NEW YORK. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has revised its assessment of the origins of COVID-19, stating it is “more likely” the virus emerged from a laboratory rather than through natural transmission, a CIA spokesperson announced on Saturday.
This updated evaluation comes after years of uncertainty, with the agency previously unable to determine whether COVID-19 stemmed from a lab incident or natural origins. During the final weeks of the Biden administration, former CIA Director William Burns urged analysts to prioritize a clear determination, highlighting the pandemic’s historical impact, according to a senior U.S. official.
Low Confidence but Clearer Direction
In its statement, the CIA acknowledged it has “low confidence” in the assessment that a “research-related origin of the COVID-19 pandemic is more likely,” while maintaining that both the lab and natural origin scenarios remain plausible. The extent of any new intelligence influencing this conclusion remains unclear.
China’s Response
The Chinese embassy in Washington has yet to comment on the CIA’s revised stance. Beijing has consistently dismissed claims that COVID-19 originated from a laboratory, including those implicating the Wuhan Institute of Virology, labeling them as baseless. Chinese officials have also accused the U.S. of politicizing the issue by involving intelligence agencies in the investigation.
China asserts that it has participated in research efforts to uncover COVID-19’s origins and denies the credibility of the lab leak theory.
Ratcliffe’s Position
Newly confirmed CIA Director John Ratcliffe has publicly supported the lab leak theory. In an interview with Breitbart following his confirmation on Friday, Ratcliffe emphasized that determining the pandemic’s origins is a top priority.
“That’s a day-one thing for me,” Ratcliffe stated. “I’ve been on record as you know in saying I think our intelligence, our science, and our common sense all really dictate that the origins of COVID was a leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.”
Ongoing Debate
The origin of COVID-19 remains a contentious global issue. Despite investigations by the World Health Organization and other scientific bodies, no definitive conclusion has been reached. The CIA’s latest assessment adds a new layer of complexity to the debate as governments and scientists continue to seek answers about the pandemic that has reshaped the world.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
