A Chinese scientist and her husband have been fired from a lab in Canada after it was discovered that they had sent virus samples to China. The scientist, Dr Xiangguo Qiu, is now believed to have been involved in “dangerous” research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), which has been accused of leaking the Covid-19 virus. These revelations come after a 600-page report released by Canadian intelligence services exposed the extent of Dr Qiu's treachery.
The report, which was released in response to accusations of a cover-up, revealed that Dr Qiu had passed information onto the WIV without informing her superiors. It also provided further details of her alleged cooperation with virologist Dr Shi Zhengli, known as the “bat woman,” who is at the center of theories about the origins of Covid-19. Dr Qiu and her husband were fired from the Canadian National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg in January 2021 after it was discovered that they had sent lethal virus samples to China.
The report raised concerns about Dr Qiu's activities, stating that she represented a serious and credible danger to the government of Canada. It highlighted the potential for theft of dangerous materials and espionage by foreign entities. The lax security measures at the Canadian lab have raised questions about the links between virus research in Chinese labs and Western scientists.
Dr Qiu was hired by the WIV to lead an “animal infection” project and was found to have discussed the shipping of the Ebola virus from Canada to Wuhan. The report also revealed that Dr Qiu had provided training to others at a conference held by the WIV without informing her Canadian employers. It is unclear how extensively Dr Qiu collaborated with Dr Zhengli, but photographs suggest they had personal contact.
Many scientists have argued that there is no evidence to support the theory that Covid-19 leaked from a Chinese lab, and the origin of the pandemic is still disputed. However, the US Energy Department and the FBI have both assessed that a lab mishap is the most likely cause of the virus's spread. Other agencies and a national intelligence panel still believe in the natural transmission theory or remain undecided.
Dr Qiu and her husband have not been reachable for comment, and it is believed they have moved back to China. The newly released CSIS documents did not include a statement from the couple, but it revealed that Dr Qiu repeatedly claimed not to be aware of breaking any security rules and attempted to mislead investigators.
These revelations about Dr Qiu's involvement in dangerous research at the WIV and her cooperation with Dr Zhengli further fuel the speculation surrounding the origins of Covid-19. The investigation into the actions of Dr Qiu and her husband highlights the importance of strict security measures in labs handling dangerous pathogens to prevent theft and potential leaks. It also raises questions about the extent of collaboration between Western scientists and Chinese labs in studying animal viruses. The origins of Covid-19 remain a contentious issue, with conflicting opinions among experts.
