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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If Owaisi compains for jds and bsp, he will lose the respect what we kannadigas have in him. He is being used by these parties only to divide muslim votes and alternatively support bjp. In case Owaisi did so, it will be very clear that he is hidden agent of bjp. If actually he needs betterment of muslims, he should keep away from Karnakataka elections. |this is our sincere advice to Mr. Owaisi otherwise we will support or respect him any more. Besides this if he comes to karnataka, i reqeust muslims to welcome him by rotten eggs and black flags. Let him understand that this is not Hyderabad. Why is he showing double standard? Why cant he stand in one boat. He should not try to be another Mir Jafar or Mir Qasim. I was a fan of him, but if he comes to karnataka on the hidden agenda of bjp, i will disrespect him for ever and will not consider him as a sympathisers of Muslims. He will do it for his own benefit. In every speech he speaks about unity in Muslims but he himself is going against it. I doubt he will keep on his popularity and may lose next election in his own constituency and AIMIM will also be thrown out. Hope Owaisi will understand the situation and take back his plan to visit karnataka to divide muslim votes.
Mr. Owaisi, try to follow one ideology. Dont spread your leg in two boats at the same time, you may fall down
He only denied the campaign offer before. Now again..
Double Standard guy, we know about you and we know about your dealing With BJP president Amith Shah close door meeting , do not try to fool Kanndaigas , we are very clear whom to vote ...........
Wonder land man from wonderland AIMIM looks not Indian degree, may be United Kingdom Degree after MIMIM this is Masters degree to the wonder Owaisi!!!!! any way he is the Gate way of "Devide and Rule" good money bai sabb, you divide or Sale no problem, we need our comission, he did in Uttarpradesh, Bihar now he came to Karnataka, no worries "Every Dog has its own day Bai sabb" I am sure Kannadians will not listen your stupidity
Jai hoo Siddaramanna
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