[cpt1138]

All I can take away from this is that it really doesn't matter where it came from. The real problem is dealing with something like this was a failure on so many levels regardless of where it came from. The OP definitely finishes with the emotional desire to blame that still doesn't change the fact that the despair is not from where it came from but rather our global dealing with it.

[cypherg]

Seems rather insane to me to "not care" about the origins if we all intend on preventing this in the future. Each origin hypothesis has vastly different implications - incredibly vast. I'm shocked that this article didn't discuss the Biosaftey Level of the WIV or the many, many, MANY, other lab leaks from labs with even stricter BSL.

The ever avuncular Jon Stuart said it well two years ago: https://youtu.be/sSfejgwbDQ8?t=353

[hotpotamus]

Let's say I'm from the government, and I'm here to help. What would you have me do about any of these vast implications?

[rasz]

Which government? Chinese? you already burned all the WIV records so all is good. US one - jail all the people in chain that led to financing GOF research in China.

[abracadaniel]

If an adversarial government is conducting potentially dangerous research, would you not want to find a way to get your people in the room while they do it? And how would you convince them it was worth letting your people in to observe? There were Americans in the lab until funding for pandemic preparedness was pulled. The fact that we could have had eye witnesses accounts, but for a short sighted repealing of funding is inexcusable.

[rasz]

Imagine Civilization trade meme screen:

+ You receive intelligence on foe biolab.

- You kill 7 million people and cause global recession.

[lern_too_spel]

You've asked a key question. Whether it came from the lab or a wet market, it is China's fuckup. We in other countries can at best punish them for that fuckup regardless of origin, but we have no control over their labs or their wet markets. That is China's problem to deal with.

As scientists, on the other hand, we like to understand things whether or not there is practical benefit.

[Ekaros]

Are we sure it was not actually done by some other country like USA for example?

[raarts]

If it wouldn't matter, people wouldn't put this much effort in trying to suppress the discussion.

I lost the reference but I've read a virologist fearing that a lab leak would constitute a 'Chernobyl event for virology'.