Interview: Current Evidence Suggests THAT THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS IS CLOSER TO 'NATURAL EVENTS' – Interview with David, infectious disease ecologist at Massey University in New Zealand

Wellington, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Interview: "Current evidence suggests that the spread of the new coronavirus is closer to 'natural events'" – Interview with David Heyman, an infectious disease ecologist at Massey University in New Zealand

Xinhua News Agency reporter Guo Lei Lu Huaiqian

David, an infectious disease ecologist at Massey University in New Zealand, told Xinhua news agency a few days ago that so far, the arguments for the so-called laboratory leak have been limited to individual indirect rather than direct evidence. Instead, a large body of known data proves that the spread of the coronavirus is closer to a "natural event."

"I agree with the WHO's traceability report," Heyman said, "and the WHO report does not rule out any hypothesis, but the hypothesis needs to be based on factual evidence." ”

From the perspective of viral transmission, believes that it is not surprising that such an event as the spread of the new crown virus has occurred. Heyman explained that what kind of virus spreads and how it infects humans is closely related to the specific environment in which the virus is produced. In nature, viruses can recombine and change on their own. The complexity of this change is beyond ordinary people's imagination.

Earlier in June, Heyman joined Gemma Gegan, a virologist at Otago University in New Zealand, to question the "lab leak" conspiracy theory. Their joint skepticism is based on three points: first, there is no trace of synthetic synthesis of the new coronavirus; second, there have been many historical precedents of similar coronaviruses infecting humans by animals; and third, there is currently no direct evidence to support the "laboratory leak" claim. Heyman still insists on these views.

Heyman points out that scientific research requires direct evidence and data accumulation, not subjective speculation. He was puzzled by the lack of arguments for the "laboratory leak" in some Western media.

Heyman admits that since publishing the academic view that a "laboratory leak is unlikely," he has been maliciously attacked by some people on social media, but he does not care.

"I think all countries and the media should have responsible discussions based on respect for scientific evidence." Heyman said that the current survey method under the WHO framework is more practical. In the next step, deeper, opener and transparent international cooperation will help to do better research on the new crown virus. Given the current mutation of the new crown virus in many countries and regions around the world, cooperation between countries and the leadership of authoritative international organizations are particularly important.

"It takes time and patience." Heyman said. (End)