Five years after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States maintains, albeit without certainties, that it is "probable" the virus originated in a Chinese laboratory, despite scientists pointing to a market in Wuhan (China).
The origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes coronavirus disease, has been the subject of debate and analysis for the past few years. Although the necessary evidence to conclude its origin has not been obtained, both the Trump and Biden administrations have given significance to the laboratory theory.
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) sees the hypothesis of COVID-19's origin in a laboratory as the most likely, although with "low confidence" in its own conclusions. This information was made public in January of this year, marking a significant shift in the agency's position.
On the other hand, various scientific studies have pointed to the Huanan wholesale seafood market in Wuhan as the epicenter of the pandemic. Research conducted by scientists has highlighted that the first cases occurred in people close to the market and that the strains of the virus were associated with this location.
Although the laboratory theory clashes with the scientific evidence pointing to the Wuhan market as the origin, China has considered the former as "very unlikely." The WHO has requested more information from China about the origin of the virus, while Beijing claims to have provided all available data.
In summary, the controversy surrounding the origin of COVID-19 remains, with divided opinions between the CIA and the scientific community as to whether the virus escaped from a laboratory or emerged in the Wuhan market. Meanwhile, the pandemic continues to have a global impact.
