Group says coronavirus evolved in nature, renews call for 'scientifically rigorous investigations'

A group of scientists and doctors reaffirmed their belief that the SARS-CoV-2 virus evolved in nature while urging others to “turn down the heat of the rhetoric and turn up the light of scientific inquiry.”

The group had first written to express support and solidarity with health care workers and scientists in China, and said that recently many members had received inquiries "asking whether we still support what we said in early 2020."  "The answer is clear: we reaffirm our expression of solidarity with those in China who confronted the outbreak then, and the many health professionals around the world who have since worked to exhaustion, and at personal risk, in the relentless and continuing battle against the virus. Our respect and gratitude have only grown with time."  Since the first letter, which also addressed the potential origin of the coronavirus, a World Health Organization-led investigation into the virus received much scrutiny over its inconclusive results. Calls for further investigation into a lab-leak theory have grown in recent months, as has a more independent investigation into the virus’ origin.