The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast
310. Viral: The Origin of Covid 19 | Matt Ridley
Dec 1, 2022
Matt Ridley, a British writer and journalist renowned for his expertise in science and economics, discusses the origins of COVID-19. He delves into the controversial lab leak hypothesis and the political biases that have influenced scientific discourse. The conversation highlights the need for rigorous inquiry amidst a backdrop of misinformation. Ridley also critiques the scientific community's reluctance to explore uncomfortable truths, emphasizing the vital importance of transparency and ethical practices in research to prevent future pandemics.
01:44:12
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Quick takeaways
- The investigation into the origin of COVID-19 raises concerns about a potential lab leak from the Wuhan Institute of Virology due to the coincidence of its location and the outbreak, as well as the virus's remarkable adaptation to humans.
- The evidence supporting the theory of COVID-19 originating from the Wuhan market is questioned, with no infected animals linked to the outbreak and transmission patterns not aligning with typical animal-to-human transmission, highlighting the need for further investigation and transparency from China.
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Investigating the Origin of COVID-19
Dr. Matt Ridley discusses the investigation into the origin of COVID-19. He initially accepted the conventional idea that it emerged from an exotic meat market in Wuhan but became interested in investigating further due to anomalies. The coincidence of the location of the Wuhan lab, which studies similar viruses, and the outbreak raised concerns about a lab leak. The virus's remarkable adaptation to humans is another key point, as most viruses are not well-adapted to transmission in human beings. The presence of a FURIN cleavage site, which is unique to this virus, suggests potential genetic manipulation. The politicization of the issue and lack of transparency from China has hindered the investigation.
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