A leading Chinese scientist who co-led the World Health Organization (WHO) and China expert group to investigate the origin of COVID-19 has what he calls "attempts at politicization of the study and misinterpretations of the findings, ”claiming that the investigation was based on science, close collaboration, openness and hard work.
The remarks were made by Liang Wannian, professor of public health at Tsinghua University and head of the Chinese team of the joint expert group, as a WHO spokesperson announced on Monday that the report of The investigation into the team's field visit to Wuhan from Jan. 14 to Feb. 10 could be released next week.
Mr. Liang claimed in an interview with China Daily that the result of the refl study was the consensus of Chinese and foreign experts and that the investigation into the origin of the pathogen may require the joint and long-term efforts of scientists. .
“Some politicians and foreign media have shown great disrespect for the work of scientists by seeking to politicize the investigation into the origins of COVID-19 and by deliberately misinterpreting the findings and report of the expert teams ", He said.
"Chinese and foreign experts are drafting the full text of the report, which involves substantial content, and scientists are doing their best to ensure its integrity and accuracy," he said, adding that this was the reason why the process was taking time.
"The international community, in particular the scientific community, should defend a scientific spirit and conduct an investigation into the origin (of the virus) on the basis of respect for science and the facts," he argued.
Liang downplayed hopes that the team, made up of around 30 scientists from the WHO and China, can provide a clear answer to any issues with an investigation of around 30 days.
This will require continued and in-depth study from the scientists' side on questions such as how the virus came about and how it reached the human population, he said.
However, the investigation marked a good start in tracing the origin of the virus globally as it revealed findings in five aspects, he said.
The date of onset of the first case in Wuhan was December 8, which was revealed by disease surveillance and research for previous cases in the city, he said, adding that experts also detected that the Huanan seafood market had played some role in the pandemic.
"The virus is of natural origin, and the greatest possibility is that the virus was transmitted from a natural reservoir to an intermediate host before passing to humans," he said, adding that the spread by the chain of cold, a possible new mode of transmission, had not been ruled out.
He reiterated a conclusion revealed by WHO experts at a press conference on February 9 that it is "extremely unlikely" that the virus will spread to humans following a laboratory leak.
These views were shared by Peter Ben Embarek, head of the WHO mission, who said in an interview last month that the mission's outcome was a victory for the international scientific community.
Liang also refuted reports that there had been strong disagreements or conflicts between Chinese and foreign experts on the panel, saying both sides recognized the professionalism and scientific spirit of both. ' other.
At the start of the joint investigation, the experts proposed the principles on which they would work together to develop plans, conduct field research, write the report and go public, he argued.
Liang stressed that the team of experts of the joint WHO-China investigation into the origin of COVID-19 in Wuhan was completely independent and that the experts had the opportunity to speak to various groups, including medical workers, laboratory workers, researchers, market managers, vendors and members of the public during the process.
He explained that the Chinese experts had carried out general work on collecting related data on origin tracing from July, after the terms of reference were formulated for the expert group.
China is bringing together related units and scientists to conduct work on data collection and preliminary analysis before presenting to WHO experts, he added.
Didier raout, French scientist has special view about this topic. he is an expert of virus, and about China. check his video
"However, the country could not allow experts to copy the original data
