Elon Musk on Thursday responded to a social media post on X claiming that the Wuhan Institute of Virology was preparing for new experiments on a bat virus strikingly similar to Covid-19, identified as “HKU5-CoV-2.”
Expressing concern, Musk reposted the claim and questioned its legitimacy, writing, “Um … what? Is this definitely real? If so, very concerning.”
Chinese scientists at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), the lab some suspect may have been linked to the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, are planning new experiments that experts have described as “ominous,” according to the Daily Mail.
Earlier this month, researchers at WIV announced the discovery of a new bat virus, HKU5-CoV-2, which bears striking similarities to Covid-19.
Scientists warn that the virus has the potential to infect human cells and is closely related to a known coronavirus with a fatality rate of up to 33%.
Independent specialists have expressed worries about the Wuhan Institute of Virology’s (WIV) intended experiments on this new virus, which mirror those potentially responsible for initiating the Covid pandemic, according to the Daily Mail.
Initial Covid cases were detected in close proximity to the laboratory, which was documented to be collecting and studying coronaviruses.
A US select subcommittee’s investigation in December determined that the WIV was likely the origin point of the pathogen that triggered the worldwide pandemic.
A molecular biologist at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Dr Alina Chan expressed concern regarding the new HKU5-CoV-2 experiments. She told The Daily Telegraph: “The paper ends on an ominous note – describing a set of future experiments similar to what might’ve led to the Covid-19 pandemic … they’re going to study the viruses’ ability to cause disease in humanised mice.”
These humanised mice undergo special breeding to incorporate human cells or tissues, providing better understanding of viral infections in people.
Dr Chan further highlighted her apprehension about WIV’s capability to safely conduct such controversial research in a populous city exceeding 8 million residents.
“After what we experienced with Covid-19, I believe there is no biosafety level adequate for such experiments in the city of Wuhan,” she continued.
‘If such work has to be done, it should be done at a biosafety Level 4, far away from any city centre,” she added.
Laboratory tests confirmed that HKU5-CoV-2 penetrates human cells utilising identical pathways as SARS-CoV-2, the scientific designation for the Covid-causing virus. Scientists also established its close genetic relationship with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
MERS is a contagious respiratory illness that spreads from animals to humans and between people. Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea, and vomiting, with severe cases potentially proving fatal.
I am a passionate digital marketer, content writer, and blogger. With years of experience in crafting compelling content and driving digital strategies. I’m always exploring new trends, optimizing strategies, and creating content that resonates with audiences. When I’m not working, you’ll find me diving into the latest digital marketing insights or experimenting with new blogging ideas.