
© AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File
"History will figure that out on its own." That is what Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) recently replied to Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
In a heated congressional exchange, Fauci derided the idea that the COVID-19 pandemic was due to the leak of a dangerous virus, engineered in the Chinese Wuhan virology lab -- and in part funded by U.S. health agencies, on the prompt of Fauci himself.
Fauci offered arguments from authority by citing his own expertise, as well as that of "card-carrying" specialists.
But in truth, there is little evidence that any animal species has been found infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus or a close relative that causes COVID-19 or a similar illness.
Many federal health experts increasingly believe the virus was manmade. A number argue that it was likely a product of gain-of-function research that was funded in part by a U.S. government grant.
Others concede that Fauci and Dr. Peter Daszak--who was involved in gain-of-function research, often in cooperation with the Chinese--were not candid about the full extent of their ties to the Wuhan lab. But despite Chinese resistance to releasing pertinent data, history eventually will sort the truth out--as it does with most controversies of the moment.
Comment: Russia is set to vote on a draft law that would see a rise in draconian restrictions. RT reports: