Statecraft
How to Catch a Lab Leak
Jul 3, 2024
Matthew Meselson, a pivotal figure in banning biological weapons research and investigator of the Sverdlovsk anthrax outbreak, shares gripping insights. He discusses the confusion around the deaths in 1979 and the Soviet cover-up. Meselson details his collaboration with the CIA and the challenging journey to investigate the incident firsthand. He draws parallels between Sverdlovsk and the COVID lab leak theory, highlighting failures in containment and secrecy. His anecdotes reveal the complicated interplay between science, diplomacy, and Cold War politics.
53:13
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Quick takeaways
- The investigation into the Sverdlovsk anthrax outbreak revealed the complexities of biological threats intertwined with Cold War politics.
- Matthew Meselson's collaboration with Soviet scientists ultimately led to the confirmation of the outbreak's origins as a lab leak rather than a foodborne illness.
Deep dives
Involvement in the Sverdlovsk Anthrax Investigation
The investigation into the Sverdlovsk anthrax outbreak began when an individual from the CIA, Julian Hauptman, invited the speaker to join a working group focused on understanding the epidemic. The team had evidence of anthrax cases linked to a specific hospital, making it crucial to ascertain the cause of the outbreak. A physician from Sverdlovsk who later immigrated to Israel acted as a crucial informant, corroborating reports of the outbreak, yet the Russian authorities initially attributed it to gastrointestinal causes rather than inhalation. The underground connection between these findings and the CIA's interest highlights the complexities surrounding biological threats during the Cold War.
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