The World Health Organisation has appointed an advisory unit comprising of twenty-six scientists from countries like India, the US, China and Kenya. They will be studying the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic that hit the world in 2020. The advisory group has been chosen from around seven hundred applicants. These applications, from twenty-six countries, included scientists who were willing to contribute in learning about how and why the pandemic began in the first place.
While a new advisory group is newly formed, the search for answers began much earlier as the World Health Organisation had already started the study. However, the political rivalry between China and the US pushed back the study and a free framework for scientists to conduct research.
Earlier this year, scientists Dr Inger Damon and Dr Yungui Yang were sent to China, after which they submitted a joint report mentioning that the possible leak of the virus from the Wuhan lab was unlikely. Calling the report premature two W.H.O. officials and Dr Tedros gave a joint statement announcing that they cannot rule out the lab leak accident unless they find solid evidence to support it and share it with everyone.
The officials added that the group will work towards assessing the latest studies and would further advise W.H.O on what more is required, which could include field research in China.
While China did not respond well to some reports suggesting the lab leak, the executive director of the W.H.O. Dr Michael Ryan vowed that the advisory group will only work for the best interest of people at large. He stated that it would be best if political rivalries be kept at bay from the research, which he believes is a mutual responsibility.
