The origins of COVID-19 have been a topic of intense debate since the pandemic began. Recently, Dr. Robert Redfield, the former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, reignited the discussion by suggesting that the SARS-CoV-2 virus may have been intentionally engineered.
In a lengthy 91-minute interview with YouTube podcaster Dana Parish on November 14, Dr. Redfield stated, \"there is a real possibility that the virus' birthplace was Chapel Hill.\" He further claimed that the virus was \"intentionally engineered as part of a bio-defense program.\"
When probed about the United States' potential role in the virus's origin, Redfield emphasized, \"I think it was substantial.\" He highlighted the involvement of several U.S. agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the State Department, USAID (United States Agency for International Development), and the Defense Department, in funding related research.
Redfield pointed to Ralph Baric, a prominent scientist at the University of North Carolina, as a key figure in the research, suggesting that Baric may have played a role in creating some of the original viral lines. However, he admitted, \"I can't prove that,\" indicating a lack of definitive evidence to support his claims.
The assertions made by Dr. Redfield add another layer to the complex conversation surrounding the pandemic's origins, underscoring the need for continued investigation and transparency in understanding how COVID-19 emerged and spread globally.
Reference(s):
Virus behind COVID 'intentionally engineered,' says U.S. CDC ex-chief
cgtn.com
