A new round of experiments planned by scientists at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) has raised alarms among experts, especially since the lab is under suspicion for its possible role in the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Recently, researchers from WIV announced they had discovered a new virus in bats, called HKU5-CoV-2, which closely resembles Covid-19.
The virus has shown the potential to infect human cells, and it is related to a known coronavirus that has a high fatality rate, killing up to a third of those infected.
WIV’s Plans to Experiment with New Virus Raise Fears of a Repeat of the Covid Crisis
Experts are particularly concerned about the new experiments WIV researchers plan to conduct on this newly discovered virus.
The experiments are similar to those that may have sparked the global pandemic in 2019.
The first known cases of Covid-19 appeared just a few miles from the WIV, a lab that has been collecting and experimenting with coronaviruses for years.
In December 2024, a U.S. subcommittee concluded that the WIV was the most likely source of the pandemic-causing pathogen.
Experts Voice Concerns About Biosafety in Wuhan as New Research Moves Forward
Dr. Alina Chan, a molecular biologist at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, has expressed serious concerns about the lab’s plans to study HKU5-CoV-2.
In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Dr. Chan highlighted that the paper describing the discovery of the virus ended with an “ominous” mention of future experiments similar to those that could have led to the Covid-19 outbreak.
These experiments include testing the virus’s ability to cause disease in “humanized mice” — specially bred mice that simulate human infection. Dr. Chan also worries about the lab’s ability to carry out such high-risk research safely, especially in a densely populated city like Wuhan.
Virologist Behind Discovery of New Virus Faces Growing Scrutiny
The discovery of HKU5-CoV-2 was led by virologist Shi Zhengli, also known as “Batwoman” for her research on coronaviruses in bats.
The virus has been shown to infiltrate human cells in a similar way to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.
HKU5-CoV-2 is also closely related to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), a virus that can be fatal in severe cases and spreads from animals to humans.
The researchers, who are funded by the Chinese government, published their findings in the journal Cell and acknowledged the potential risks associated with the virus.
They noted that HKU5-CoV-2 could potentially spill over to humans, either through direct transmission or through an intermediate host.
The researchers hinted at plans to conduct further studies to evaluate how the virus behaves in animal models, such as hamsters and transgenic mice.
Experts in the UK Downplay Immediate Risk from HKU5-CoV-2
While some experts are concerned about the new virus, others are not overly worried at this stage.
Prof. Simon Clarke, a microbiology expert at the University of Reading, told The Sun that while the discovery of another bat coronavirus capable of infecting human cells is concerning, it shouldn’t be a cause for panic.
He explained that viruses like HKU5-CoV-2 using a similar method to enter human and animal cells are likely more common than we realize.
As scientists continue to study these viruses, it’s probable that more similar examples will be found.
The Ongoing Debate Over the Origins of Covid-19
The debate over whether Covid-19 emerged naturally or accidentally from the WIV continues to stir discussion.
Some scientists still argue that the virus likely jumped from an animal to a human, but no definitive animal host has ever been identified.
The WIV had been collecting hundreds of coronaviruses before the pandemic, and there have been reports that three of its staff members fell ill with Covid-like symptoms in November 2019, just before the first official cases were documented.
This ongoing debate highlights the uncertainty surrounding the origins of the pandemic and the potential risks posed by labs that conduct high-risk experiments on dangerous pathogens.
With new discoveries like HKU5-CoV-2, many are left wondering about the safety protocols in place and the long-term implications of these experiments.