The Covid ‘lab leak’ theory isn’t just a rightwing conspiracy – pretending that’s the case is bad for science | Jane Qiu

There are two broad, competing theories about Covid-19 pandemic's origins.

The natural-origins hypothesis suggest the pandemic began when a close relative of Sars-CoV-2 jumped from a wild animal to a human through the wildlife trade.

In contrast, proponents of lab-leak theories argue that the virus emerged when Chinese scientists became infected through research-associated activities.

Documentary claims that attacks on EcoHealth Alliance and spread of lab-leak conspiracy theories have fuelled distrust in science.

Jane Qiu is an award-winning independent science writer in Beijing .

She says lack of transparency and humility from scientists such as Peter Daszak has fuelled public distrust.