{"id":963,"date":"2020-04-17T22:07:49","date_gmt":"2020-04-17T22:07:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/joshmitteldorf.peachpuff-wolverine-566518.hostingersite.com\/?p=963"},"modified":"2020-04-17T22:19:06","modified_gmt":"2020-04-17T22:19:06","slug":"where-did-covid-19-come-from","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/joshmitteldorf\/2020\/04\/17\/where-did-covid-19-come-from\/","title":{"rendered":"Where did COVID-19 come from?"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is genetic evidence suggestive of human tinkering in the genome, and there are news stories suggesting the virus might have been developed either at the Wuhan Institute of Virology or at the American virology lab at Fort Detrick. There are even some suggestions that the American and Chinese bioweapons labs may be working together, sharing samples and exchanging funding.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Part 1: The Genetic Evidence<\/b><\/p>\n

Preface<\/b><\/p>\n

We rely on the scientific community as a context for almost every public policy decision. People who want to influence policy know this, and they don\u2019t just lobby Congress, they also buy scientists, scientific reporting, and placement in prominent journals. Most scientists are honest, but they have to survive in a world where funding is tighter than it should be. It\u2019s not surprising that some of them succumb and publish what powerful and corrupt institutions want them to.<\/span><\/p>\n

The question of a laboratory origin for COVID is politically explosive, so we expect a heavy hand restraining the science establishment. Those of us seeking an honest answer, who have a little expertise, a little horse sense, and a lot of patience, are left to sift through information, misinformation, and disinformation in a politicized environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

My personal opinion is that I don\u2019t like having to wonder if global pandemics have been created, accidentally or otherwise, by my own government. Bioweapon research is extensive in several countries, but dominated by the US. The disclosed US budget is <\/span>over $10 billion per year<\/span><\/a>, and who knows what the black budget is. There is no legitimate purpose for this \u201cresearch,\u201d and it is <\/span>illegal<\/span><\/a>. No bioweapon can ever attack \u201cenemies\u201d without unacceptable risk of infecting \u201cfriends\u201d. Over time, it is virtually certain that there will be leaks with horrific consequence. <\/span>Lyme disease<\/span><\/a> is a case in point.<\/span><\/p>\n

Regardless of whether COVID19 came from a lab, we the people must demand disclosure of this secret \u201cresearch\u201d, and demand an end to the American bioweapons program in its entirety.<\/b><\/p>\n

I know of no coalition organized to this end. We\u2019ll have to start one.<\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Three useful books to get into this subject: <\/span><\/p>\n

Bitten: The secret history of Lyme disease and biological weapons<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/a>Poisoner in Chief: Sidney Gottlieb and the CIA Search for Mind Control<\/span><\/a>
\nLab 257: The disturbing story of the government’s secret germ laboratory<\/a><\/p>\n

Expert opinion<\/b><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an <\/span>interview by Dr Francis Boyle<\/span><\/a> describing the big picture. Boyle is a professor of international law at University of Illinois with a history in both government and academia working on the limitation of biological weapons. In this interview he <\/span>alleges<\/span>:<\/span><\/p>\n