Amid the tariff war with China, Donald Trump has now brought back the controversial COVID-19 lab-leak theory in the discussion as the White House refreshed an existing website on the virus. Previously, the website was dedicated to information around vaccination and testing of the COVID-19 virus, but now it boldly claims that the virus, which set the entire world on a pause in 2020, was a result of a lab accident primarily from China's Wuhan.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/scientists-develop-common-vaccine-for-covid-19-flu-and-common-cold-8891565">Scientists develop common vaccine for COVID-19, flu and common cold</a>
The White House's claim opposes the widely accepted narrative that the virus originated naturally from an animal-to-human spillover. This narrative has been supported by many scientists as well.&nbsp;
<h2>Naturally originated?&nbsp;</h2>
The website ow primarily criticises the &ldquo;The Proximal Origin of SARS-CoV-2,&rdquo; a study against the lab-leak theory.&nbsp;
The White House further alleged that the top medical advisor of Joe Biden, Dr Anthony Fauci, promoted the narrative of animal-to-human spillover. The Website alleges that &ldquo;The Proximal Origin of SARS-Cov-2" was used by public health officials and the media to silence the lab-leak theory in favour of a more widely accepted natural origin.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/is-covid-back-should-you-be-even-worried-about-kolkatas-case-of-human-coronavirus-hku1-experts-answer-8866176">Is Covid back? Should you even be worried about Kolkata's case of human coronavirus HKU1? Experts answer</a>
<h2>The key points&nbsp;</h2>
Not just claims, the White House even explained five key points to support the claims that the virus was a result of a lab leak.&nbsp;
1. The website claimed that the COVID-19 virus has biological elements that are not typically found in nature.
2. As per data, all the COVID-19 cases can be traced back to a single human introduction, not like previous pandemics, where multiple spillovers took place.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-sees-a-sharp-rise-in-flu-cases-with-covid-like-symptoms-experts-reveal-whats-happening-8851447">Delhi sees sharp rise in flu cases with Covid-like symptoms; experts reveal what's happening</a>
3. The location of the epicentre of the virus outbreak is near the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV).&nbsp;
4. Several WIV researchers showed symptoms similar to COVID-19 in late 2019, months before the virus was linked to a wet market in Wuhan.&nbsp;
5. The website further said that if the virus had originated naturally, the evidence supporting the claim would have emerged by now, but they haven't.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-pandemic-turns-five-years-today-research-reveals-alarming-vaccine-deserts-8842932">COVID-19 pandemic turns five years today: Research reveals alarming &lsquo;vaccine deserts&rsquo;</a>

World | The White House's claim opposes the widely accepted narrative that the virus originated naturally from an animal-to-human spillover. This narrative has been supported by many scientists as well.

Amid the tariff war with China, Donald Trump has now brought back the controversial COVID-19 lab-leak theory in the discussion as the White House refreshed an existing website on the virus. Previously, the website was dedicated to information around vaccination and testing of the COVID-19 virus, but now it boldly claims that the virus, which set the entire world on a pause in 2020, was a result of a lab accident primarily from China's Wuhan. Also read: Scientists develop common vaccine for COVID-19, flu and common cold The White House's claim opposes the widely accepted narrative that the virus originated naturally from an animal-to-human spillover. This narrative has been supported by many scientists as well. Naturally originated? The website ow primarily criticises the “The Proximal Origin of SARS-CoV-2,” a study against the lab-leak theory. The White House further alleged that the top medical advisor of Joe Biden, Dr Anthony Fauci, promoted the narrative of animal-to-human spillover. The Website alleges that “The Proximal Origin of SARS-Cov-2" was used by public health officials and the media to silence the lab-leak theory in favour of a more widely accepted natural origin. Also read: Is Covid back? Should you even be worried about Kolkata's case of human coronavirus HKU1? Experts answer The key points Not just claims, the White House even explained five key points to support the claims that the virus was a result of a lab leak. 1. The website claimed that the COVID-19 virus has biological elements that are not typically found in nature. 2. As per data, all the COVID-19 cases can be traced back to a single human introduction, not like previous pandemics, where multiple spillovers took place. Also read: Delhi sees sharp rise in flu cases with Covid-like symptoms; experts reveal what's happening 3. The location of the epicentre of the virus outbreak is near the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). 4. Several WIV researchers showed symptoms similar to COVID-19 in late 2019, months before the virus was linked to a wet market in Wuhan. 5. The website further said that if the virus had originated naturally, the evidence supporting the claim would have emerged by now, but they haven't. Also read: COVID-19 pandemic turns five years today: Research reveals alarming ‘vaccine deserts’

COVID-19 'lab-leak' theory: What is it as per Trump's new website amid tariff war with China?

Everyone appears to have an opinion on how COVID-19 came to be. The National Institutes of Health has been questioned by US Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee on the purported "lab leak." The majority of scientists, however, concur with the assertion stated in a Science Magazine article that was released in August that the virus most likely spread in the packed wet markets in Wuhan, China, from animal to humans.&nbsp;

Republicans in the US Senate who looked into the virus's origins suspect that COVID-19 may have come from a lab leak, although they emphasise that there isn't concrete evidence to support this.

The lab leak scenario is "not motivated by scientific fact," according to Gigi Gronvall,&nbsp;lead researcher and immunologist at&nbsp;The Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security

According to US Senate Republicans who investigated into the virus's origins, it may have originated from a lab breach; however, they emphasise that the results are preliminary.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/report-how-china-used-its-zero-covid-policy-to-harass-us-diplomats-in-beijing-528970">Did China use its 'zero-Covid policy' to 'harass' US diplomats in Beijing?</a>

Sen. Richard Burr, the panel's ranking member, said that the report should serve as a guideline for the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international organisations and researchers.

Burr's staff released the study first, but Senate HELP Chair Patty Murray said she remained committed to working with Burr on an investigation into the origins of COVID-19. According to Murray, doing a thorough examination of how <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/selena-gomez-tests-covid-19-positive-cancels-tonight-show-appearance-528793">COVID-19</a> first formed was part of the bipartisan pandemic readiness legislation (S. 3799) that the HELP Committee adopted in March.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/long-covid-symptoms-affect-1-in-8-suggests-lancet-study-503936">Long COVID-19 symptoms affect 1 in 8, suggests Lancet study</a>

However, Murray noted that the law advocated the creation of a different task force to investigate the origins of COVID-19 in order to ensure that a scenario like this never arises again that everyone learns from this pandemic's lessons.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Everyone appears to have an opinion on how COVID-19 came to be. The National Institutes of Health has been questioned by US Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee on the purported "lab leak.

Everyone appears to have an opinion on how COVID-19 came to be. The National Institutes of Health has been questioned by US Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee on the purported "lab leak." The majority of scientists, however, concur with the assertion stated in a Science Magazine article that was released in August that the virus most likely spread in the packed wet markets in Wuhan, China, from animal to humans. Republicans in the US Senate who looked into the virus's origins suspect that COVID-19 may have come from a lab leak, although they emphasise that there isn't concrete evidence to support this. The lab leak scenario is "not motivated by scientific fact," according to Gigi Gronvall, lead researcher and immunologist at The Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security According to US Senate Republicans who investigated into the virus's origins, it may have originated from a lab breach; however, they emphasise that the results are preliminary. Also read | Did China use its 'zero-Covid policy' to 'harass' US diplomats in Beijing? Sen. Richard Burr, the panel's ranking member, said that the report should serve as a guideline for the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international organisations and researchers. Burr's staff released the study first, but Senate HELP Chair Patty Murray said she remained committed to working with Burr on an investigation into the origins of COVID-19. According to Murray, doing a thorough examination of how COVID-19 first formed was part of the bipartisan pandemic readiness legislation (S. 3799) that the HELP Committee adopted in March. Also read | Long COVID-19 symptoms affect 1 in 8, suggests Lancet study However, Murray noted that the law advocated the creation of a different task force to investigate the origins of COVID-19 in order to ensure that a scenario like this never arises again that everyone learns from this pandemic's lessons. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

What is the origin of the COVID-19 virus? New report supports ‘Lab Leak’ theory

Alina Chan told British MPs that a lab leak is "the most likely" source of the Wuhan virus. She also asked the Lancet to share the research it received from Chinese scientists. Palki Sharma tells you how the lab leak theory is back in focus.

Gravitas: Lab leak "most likely" source of Covid-19, British MPs told

Danielle Anderson, a scientist who worked at the Wuhan Institute of Virology prior to the pandemic, dismissed the possibility that the coronavirus was leaked from there.

She was working in the world's most infamous laboratory just weeks before the first Covid-19 cases were discovered in central China. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fauci-calls-on-china-to-release-medical-records-of-wuhan-lab-workers-report-389348">Also read | Fauci calls on China to release medical records of Wuhan lab workers: Report</a>

Despite this, the Australian virologist is still perplexed as to what she overlooked.

The Australian virologist told Bloomberg on Sunday that the virus most likely came from a natural source, but said she wasn't "naive enough" to rule out the chance of a lab mishap. 
 
Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/origin-of-wuhan-virus-needs-to-be-found-386627">Origin of Wuhan virus needs to be found</a>

Toward the end of 2019, Anderson said, no one she knew at the Wuhan institute was sick. In addition, there is a protocol for reporting symptoms associated with pathogens handled in high-risk containment labs.

"If people were sick, I assume that I would have been sick — and I wasn’t," Anderson told Bloomberg. "I was tested for coronavirus in Singapore before I was vaccinated, and I had never had it."

At the end of December, many of Anderson's Wuhan collaborators travelled to Singapore for a conference on the Nipah virus. She stated that there was no word of an infection sweeping the laboratory.

"There was no chatter," Anderson said. "Scientists are gossipy and excited. There was nothing strange from my point of view going on at that point that would make you think something is going on here. "

(With inputs from agencies)

Danielle Anderson, a scientist who worked at the Wuhan Institute of Virology prior to the pandemic, dismissed the possibility that the coronavirus was leaked from there.

Danielle Anderson, a scientist who worked at the Wuhan Institute of Virology prior to the pandemic, dismissed the possibility that the coronavirus was leaked from there. She was working in the world's most infamous laboratory just weeks before the first Covid-19 cases were discovered in central China. Also read | Fauci calls on China to release medical records of Wuhan lab workers: Report Despite this, the Australian virologist is still perplexed as to what she overlooked. The Australian virologist told Bloomberg on Sunday that the virus most likely came from a natural source, but said she wasn't "naive enough" to rule out the chance of a lab mishap. Also Read | Origin of Wuhan virus needs to be found Toward the end of 2019, Anderson said, no one she knew at the Wuhan institute was sick. In addition, there is a protocol for reporting symptoms associated with pathogens handled in high-risk containment labs. "If people were sick, I assume that I would have been sick — and I wasn’t," Anderson told Bloomberg. "I was tested for coronavirus in Singapore before I was vaccinated, and I had never had it." At the end of December, many of Anderson's Wuhan collaborators travelled to Singapore for a conference on the Nipah virus. She stated that there was no word of an infection sweeping the laboratory. "There was no chatter," Anderson said. "Scientists are gossipy and excited. There was nothing strange from my point of view going on at that point that would make you think something is going on here. " (With inputs from agencies)

'COVID-19 leak highly unlikely': Last and only foreign scientist in Wuhan lab speaks out

According to a report by Spy Talk, high rank Chinese official fled to the US and gave Washington evidence on the Wuhan Lab Leak theory.

Report: High ranked Chinese Official fled to United States

18 months & 3.7 million deaths later, the Lab Leak Theory is being taken seriously. Is there new evidence now? Why did the world wait so long? Why were our reports labelled “fake” & “misleading?” On Gravitas Plus, WION's Palki Sharma decodes the politics & possibility of a Made In China virus.

Gravitas Plus: The Lab Leak Theory

After US President Joe Biden ordered an investigation into the origin of the deadly coronavirus, fearing a connection with China, UK scientists, too, have lent support to the ‘lab leak’ theory.

UK scientists support covid 'lab leak' theory: Reports

According to reports, British intelligence agencies believe it is “feasible” that the COVID-19 pandemic began with a coronavirus leak from a Chinese bio laboratory. This has prompted Britain's Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi to demand that the WHO must fully investigate the origins of the deadly virus..

Report: British intelligence believes lab-leak theory is 'feasible'

After US President Joe Biden ordered an investigation into the origin of the deadly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a>, fearing a connection with China, UK scientists, too, have lent support to the ‘lab leak’ theory.

Several UK scientists believe there is a possibility that the SARS-CoV-2 virus was leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-us-seeks-phase-2-of-investigation-into-covid-origins-387628">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-us-seeks-phase-2-of-investigation-into-covid-origins-387628/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The scientists believe the virus was man-made in a Wuhan lab and later there were several attempts of "deliberate destruction, concealment or contamination of data" to manipulate the world into thinking that the virus has been naturally developed, local newspapers claim.

These reports have come a few days after Biden had "asked for areas of further inquiry that may be required including specific questions on China".

However, China has dismissed all these claims as their foreign minister accused the western countries of using the coronavirus pandemic to pursue "stigmatisation, political manipulation and blame shifting".

"The US keeps talking about wanting&nbsp;China&nbsp;to participate in a full, transparent, scientific evidence-based international investigation. Then we ask the US to follow China's example and immediately start science-based cooperation with the WHO," China's foreign ministry said.

After US President Joe Biden ordered an investigation into the origin of the deadly coronavirus, fearing a connection with China, UK scientists, too, have lent support to the ‘lab leak’ theory. Several UK scientists believe there is a possibility that the SARS-CoV-2 virus was leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China. WATCH | The scientists believe the virus was man-made in a Wuhan lab and later there were several attempts of "deliberate destruction, concealment or contamination of data" to manipulate the world into thinking that the virus has been naturally developed, local newspapers claim. These reports have come a few days after Biden had "asked for areas of further inquiry that may be required including specific questions on China". However, China has dismissed all these claims as their foreign minister accused the western countries of using the coronavirus pandemic to pursue "stigmatisation, political manipulation and blame shifting". "The US keeps talking about wanting China to participate in a full, transparent, scientific evidence-based international investigation. Then we ask the US to follow China's example and immediately start science-based cooperation with the WHO," China's foreign ministry said.

In an embarrassing U-turn, Facebook has decided to not censor posts on the Lab Leak Theory. In October 2020, the platform censored WION for interviewing Dr. Li-Meng YAN on the theory. Palki Sharma asks: Will Facebook apologise?

Gravitas: Facebook won't censor 'lab leak' theory posts

In light of the ongoing investigation into the origin of the deadly coronavirus, social media giant <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/facebook">Facebook</a> has decided to lift the ban on posts that claim COVID-19 was man-made and/or a result of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-lab-leak-row-us-intelligence-has-a-notorious-track-record-says-china-387784">"lab leak".</a>

"Following consultations with leading health organisations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), we are expanding the list of false claims we will remove to include additional debunked claims about the coronavirus and vaccines," Facebook said in a&nbsp; statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/optional-feature-to-hide-likes-on-instagram-facebook-is-coming-sooner-than-you-think-387563" hreflang="en">Optional feature to hide likes on Instagram, Facebook is coming sooner than you think</a>

This comes months after Facebook had started to block and ban the posts that claimed COVID-19 was made-made or manufactured in a lab. Such posts were being restricted or removed, and not complying with the guidelines was leading to a complete ban of the erring accounts from the platform itself. Facebook claims this step was earlier aimed at "removing more false claims about COVID-19 and vaccines".

However, things seem to be changing now due to the ongoing investigation into the origins of coronavirus now.

This has come after a US-based newspaper, Wall Street Journal, published an investigative story that claimed the US intelligence believes there is a possibility that this virus was created due to a "lab leak" in China’s Wuhan.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-lawmakers-urge-facebook-to-drop-plans-for-instagram-for-kids-385900" hreflang="en">US lawmakers urge Facebook to drop plans for Instagram for kids</a>

The newspaper claims in November 2019, three people from the Wuhan Institute of Virology had been admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment for flu-like symptoms.

While it has not yet been concluded whether or not coronavirus was a lab leak, Facebook is making sure it fights misinformation against the disease, without imposing a ban on irrelevant information.

Facebook has now tightened its rules against sharing and spreading misinformation related to coronavirus, elections, and more.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/facebook-allow-posts-suggesting-covid-19-lab-origin-as-us-probes-virus-origin-387906">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/facebook-allow-posts-suggesting-covid-19-lab-origin-as-us-probes-virus-origin-387906/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Whether it's false or misleading content about COVID-19 and vaccines, climate change, elections or other topics, we're making sure fewer people see misinformation on our apps," Facebook said in the statement.

The social media giant has also come up with a way of warning people against following any page that actively indulges in spreading fake news.

Facebook will, now, give a pop-up notice with a warning of the page's sharing history, for the pages that actively share false information.

In light of the ongoing investigation into the origin of the deadly coronavirus, social media giant Facebook has decided to lift the ban on posts that claim COVID-19 was man-made and/or a result of a "lab leak".

In light of the ongoing investigation into the origin of the deadly coronavirus, social media giant Facebook has decided to lift the ban on posts that claim COVID-19 was man-made and/or a result of a "lab leak". "Following consultations with leading health organisations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), we are expanding the list of false claims we will remove to include additional debunked claims about the coronavirus and vaccines," Facebook said in a statement. Also read | Optional feature to hide likes on Instagram, Facebook is coming sooner than you think This comes months after Facebook had started to block and ban the posts that claimed COVID-19 was made-made or manufactured in a lab. Such posts were being restricted or removed, and not complying with the guidelines was leading to a complete ban of the erring accounts from the platform itself. Facebook claims this step was earlier aimed at "removing more false claims about COVID-19 and vaccines". However, things seem to be changing now due to the ongoing investigation into the origins of coronavirus now. This has come after a US-based newspaper, Wall Street Journal, published an investigative story that claimed the US intelligence believes there is a possibility that this virus was created due to a "lab leak" in China’s Wuhan. Also read | US lawmakers urge Facebook to drop plans for Instagram for kids The newspaper claims in November 2019, three people from the Wuhan Institute of Virology had been admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment for flu-like symptoms. While it has not yet been concluded whether or not coronavirus was a lab leak, Facebook is making sure it fights misinformation against the disease, without imposing a ban on irrelevant information. Facebook has now tightened its rules against sharing and spreading misinformation related to coronavirus, elections, and more. WATCH | "Whether it's false or misleading content about COVID-19 and vaccines, climate change, elections or other topics, we're making sure fewer people see misinformation on our apps," Facebook said in the statement. The social media giant has also come up with a way of warning people against following any page that actively indulges in spreading fake news. Facebook will, now, give a pop-up notice with a warning of the page's sharing history, for the pages that actively share false information.

Facebook lifts ban on 'lab leak' posts as US investigates origin of coronavirus

US President Joe Biden has asked his intelligence agencies to "redouble" efforts to find the origins of the Wuhan virus. The White House hasn't ruled out the "lab leak" theory. What does America know about the pandemic's origins? Palki Sharma brings you a report?

Gravitas: What the United States knows about COVID-19

The Lab Leak Theory is getting bigger & serious. The US is seeking 'Phase 2' of an investigation into Wuhan Virus origins. WHO's top virologist Marion Koopmans says a 'follow-up' probe is needed. Where are things headed? Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: US seeks 'Phase 2' of investigation into COVID-origins

Will there be a 'TRANSPARENT' new probe into virus lab leak theory? Can the global powers ever join hands to crush the COVID-19 surge? Palki Sharma discusses with the following guests: - Ritva Koukku-Ronde, Finland's Ambassador to India - Federico Salas, Mexico's Ambassador to India - Barry O’Farrell; Australia's High Commissioner to India - Hugo Javier Gobbi; Argentina's Ambassador to India

Ambassadors' Roundtable: Fighting The Pandemic | Can global powers join hands to crush COVID surge?

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COVID-19 'lab-leak' theory: What is it as per Trump's new website amid tariff war with China?

What is the origin of the COVID-19 virus? New report supports ‘Lab Leak’ theory

Gravitas: Lab leak "most likely" source of Covid-19, British MPs told

'COVID-19 leak highly unlikely': Last and only foreign scientist in Wuhan lab speaks out

Report: High ranked Chinese Official fled to United States

Gravitas Plus: The Lab Leak Theory

UK scientists support covid 'lab leak' theory: Reports

Report: British intelligence believes lab-leak theory is 'feasible'

UK scientists support covid 'lab leak' theory: Reports

Gravitas: Facebook won't censor 'lab leak' theory posts

Facebook lifts ban on 'lab leak' posts as US investigates origin of coronavirus

Gravitas: What the United States knows about COVID-19

Gravitas: US seeks 'Phase 2' of investigation into COVID-origins

Ambassadors' Roundtable: Fighting The Pandemic | Can global powers join hands to crush COVID surge?