This story posted by political friend & ally in #RVA We stand with @AustraliaUN @ASDGov @911CORLEBRA777 dailytelegraph.com.au/coronavirus/bo…
The scientific facts are correct. About 15 years ago some scientists working on virology discovered how to increase the virulence of viral pathogens &wanted to publish the work. Big debate in the scientific community about doing so, thinking of terrorism at the time. 2/
3/As Mattis pointed out, greatest threats now are great power rivals like China & Russia, neither of which bothers to conform to international norms. It is also true that Wuhan has a high level biological/microbial/virology research lab conducting research for China's military.
4/I know from first hand observation of Chinese scientific practices & reading Chinese scientists papers that the report by State Dept staffers alarmed by the sloppy mishandling of bio-hazards in the Wuhan lab is entirely realistic, believable, and probable. @JoeBiden @JohnKerry
5/The part about research in Australia is the only news to me, but the Aussies have been pushing back hard against all forms of Chinese aggression & malfeasance.They are great allies for US to have. @JoeBiden @JohnKerry
6/ An important fact is that analysis of the genome of the COVID19 virus indicates it has not been genetically engineered. The virus in WA state came from China, but the virus in NYC came from Europe. Many Chinese workers in Northern Italy per @NYGovCuomo @JoeBiden @JohnKerry
7. Nothing unreasonable stated in the dossier reported in Australian news media. Consistent with scientific facts as I have followed and know them. Finish. SDB
@threadreaderapp unroll
I should add that the virus coming from an infected bat at the Wuhan wet market is also entirely believable. But it wasn't genetically engineered.
