French Nobel prize winning scientist Luc Montagnier has sparked a fresh controversy by claiming that the SARS-CoV-2 virus came from a lab, and is the result of an attempt to manufacture a vaccine against the AIDS virus.
In an interview given to French CNews channel and during a podcast by Pourquoi Docteur, professor Montagnier who co-discovered HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) claimed the presence of elements of HIV in the genome of the coronavirus and even elements of the "germ of malaria" are highly suspect, according to a report in Asia Times.
"The Wuhan city laboratory has specialized in these coronaviruses since the early 2000s. They have expertise in this area," he was quoted as saying.
The theory that Covid-19 virus originated in the lab is making rounds for quite some time.
US President Donald Trump last week acknowledged Fox News report that the novel coronavirus may have been accidentally leaked by an intern working at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China.
The Fox News, in an exclusive report, based on unnamed sources has claimed that though the virus is a naturally occurring strain among bats and not a bioweapon, but it was being studied in Wuhan laboratory.
The initial transmission of the virus was bat-to-human, the news channel said, adding that the "patient zero" worked at the laboratory. The lab employee was accidentally infected before spreading the disease among the common people outside the lab in Wuhan city.
Professor Montagnier was awarded the 2008 Nobel Prize in Medicine for the identification of AIDS virus, with his colleague professor Franeoise Barre-Sinoussi.
His fresh claim on coronavirus, however, received criticism from scientists, including his colleagues.
"Just in case you don't know. Dr Montagnier has been rolling downhill incredibly fast in the last few years. From baselessly defending homeopathy to becoming an antivaxxer. Whatever he says, just don't believe him," tweeted Juan Carlos Gabaldon.
As per a recent Washington Post, two years ago, the US embassy officials in China raised concerns about the insufficient biosafety at the Chinese government's Wuhan Institute of Virology where deadly viruses and infectious diseases are studied.
Though the institute, located quite close to the Wuhan wet market, is China's first biosafety level IV lab, the US state department had warned in 2018 about "serious shortage of appropriately trained technicians and investigators needed to safely operate this high-containment laboratory".
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Along with that, add Drs,vhp,rss,vhp
Every Indian knows that the most terrorist groups in India are RSS/BD/RS and other outfits of sangh parivar. Terrorists from these groups are spreading hatred between different communities and give hate speech, but no action is taken on them.
Why not the PFI, KFD, SDPI, NDF demands or protest against RSS,VHP to ban??? only this people have rights to demand for any organization Ban? Let PFI, KFD, SDPI, NDF make protest and demand for Ban. (for your FYI.. iam not related to any Organization)
Ashok, based on your own argument why cant the Govt ban both BJP & RSS for killing CPM workers in Kerala, murder in various jails and bomb explosions elsewhere in India? Common man have the same standard for the same crime.
Congratulations PFI and KFD. The RSS recommended that you are strong party who are fighting against communalism and goondaism.
They can't digest any one talking or standing against them.
Good Job .
We need just 2 strongest parties in India and rest should be banned once and for all.....no political parties doing any favor for human kind, they are all there to make money for them and their family members and relatives....that is all....if government wants to ban any kachira parties then clean up everything...no need...they are all anti religion and working against human kind...
Joke of the month..
PFI, KFD ok...RSS...Bajrang illa yaake...?
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