Claims that the novel coronavirus was man-made or leaked by China’s National Biosafety Laboratory at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) is totally contrary to the facts, according to lab director Yuan Zhiming. Studies worldwide on the novel coronavirus genome showed no evidence of artificial modification in the virus. These studies have further indicated that its framework, which is the base of genome reconstruction, is totally different from any known virus. “We have never participated in designing and making a new virus and will not do that ever,” he said. Launched in January 2015, the National Biosafety Laboratory, China’s first high-level biosafety lab to study class four pathogens (P4), has played a crucial role in enhancing the country’s ability to prevent and control virulent viruses.

Source: Daily Nation June 17, 2020 17:37 UTC