Reply to: The Great Escape

[Paddy]

WHO chief says push to discount Covid-19 lab leak theory was ‘premature

There had been a “premature push” to rule out the theory that the virus might have escaped from a Chinese government lab in Wuhan – undermining WHO’s own March report, which concluded that a laboratory leak was “extremely unlikely.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...-was-premature

The theory that the coronavirus escaped from the Wuhan lab is at least as credible as the possibility it jumped from a bat to a human naturally, senior Biden administration officials told CNN.

The lab leak theory - which was once rejected by medical experts as a conspiracy - has gained traction in recent months, prompting President Joe Biden to dispatch intelligence agencies in May to find answers and report back in 90 days

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/16/p...ins/index.html

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...cies-jump.html

[minestrone]

BREAKING: Chinese Defector's Identity Confirmed, Was Top Counterintelligence Official – RedState

There has been talk of this for weeks, they know it was leaked.

[Paddy]

The following is a journal published in 2017 by Shi Zhengli, the head virologist at the Wuhan lab. The journal describes experiments on bats with SARS-Coronavirus. Shi Zhengli was trying to keep one step ahead by developing new strains of virus.

https://journals.plos.org/plospathog...l.ppat.1006698

Interesting New York Times Article

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/14/w...-lab-leak.html

[Paralytic]

Oh sorry. It's a glib smartass way of saying that this is beginning to sound very like the conspiracy theories around man-made global warming.

But with a bit less evidence.

[NotAllThere]

I have no idea what that statement is supposed to convey.

In the context, it seems like just a glib, smartass way of saying essentially nothing.

Oh sorry. It's a glib smartass way of saying that this is beginning to sound very like the conspiracy theories around man-made global warming.

[OwlHoot]

The global warming conspiracy theorists just called and would like their fantasies back. ..

I have no idea what that statement is supposed to convey.

In the context, it seems like just a glib, smartass way of saying essentially nothing.

[vetran]

This forum certainly doesn't have any.

we know a song about that!

[NotAllThere]

In practice though it's not just about the science is it?

The "approved" opinion is also heavily influenced by politics, to the extent that dissenting opinions with equally sound supporting evidence have been scoffed at and actively suppressed!

The global warming conspiracy theorists just called and would like their fantasies back.

It's beginning to remind me of the 19th century astronomers who discovered canals on Mars. This was clear evidence of intelligent life.

This forum certainly doesn't have any.

[OwlHoot]

There are too many western people with vested interests in China and it is not in their interests to rock the boat. They have been sleeping during the past five years when extreme Chinese Nationalism has taken over so they now wear rose coloured spectacles.

Yep. What was it Lenin, or someone, pointed out about being able to sell capitalists the rope to hang themselves?

[Paddy]

In practice though it's not just about the science is it?

The "approved" opinion is also heavily influenced by politics, to the extent that dissenting opinions with equally sound supporting evidence have been scoffed at and actively suppressed!

There are too many western people with vested interests in China and it is not in their interests to rock the boat. They have been sleeping during the past five years when extreme Chinese Nationalism has taken over so they now wear rose coloured spectacles.

[OwlHoot]

Two scientists, no matter how distinguished, giving their opinion, isn't proof. They are claiming it is evidence that the man-made theory is the most likely. For all we know, two other equally distinguished scientists may say - "don't be daft, that sequence appears loads of time.".

Until it's published in a peer reviewed journal, the best we non-virologists can do is hold uninformed opinions. It ain't fact yet.

In practice though it's not just about the science is it?

The "approved" opinion is also heavily influenced by politics, to the extent that dissenting opinions with equally sound supporting evidence have been scoffed at and actively suppressed!

[BlasterBates]

If you actually have eliminated the impossible. But keep the faith! That's the spirit! (As someone here used to say).


Yes, that is what he's suggesting, as someone without the necessary scientific knowledge to know if they're true. They support his beliefs, therefore they must be right.

They may be correct as well. They should check the viral genetic code for a message that says "This virus has escaped from a lab in Wuhan. if found, please present yourself, in person, with the virus, for a small reward".

It's beginning to remind me of the 19th century astronomers who discovered canals on Mars. This was clear evidence of intelligent life.

[NotAllThere]

"Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth."

If you actually have eliminated the impossible. But keep the faith! That's the spirit! (As someone here used to say).

Are you suggesting the opinion of these two scientists has eliminated an impossible?

Yes, that is what he's suggesting, as someone without the necessary scientific knowledge to know if they're true. They support his beliefs, therefore they must be right.

They may be correct as well. They should check the viral genetic code for a message that says "This virus has escaped from a lab in Wuhan. if found, please present yourself, in person, with the virus, for a small reward".

[Paralytic]

"Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth."

Are you suggesting the opinion of these two scientists has eliminated an impossible? If so, what? If not, what are you suggesting?

[Paddy]

Two scientists, no matter how distinguished, giving their opinion, isn't proof. They are claiming it is evidence that the man-made theory is the most likely. For all we know, two other equally distinguished scientists may say - "don't be daft, that sequence appears loads of time.".

Until it's published in a peer reviewed journal, the best we non-virologists can do is hold uninformed opinions. It ain't fact yet.

"Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth."