Newly released emails between a top colleague of Dr. Anthony Fauci and the president of a non-governmental organization conducting coronavirus research in Wuhan, China, revealed that the group had over 700 identified but un-sequenced coronaviruses in its lab when its government grant was pulled in 2020. Senator Rand Paul highlighted email exchanges between Fauci’s top adviser, Dr. David Morens, and EcoHealth Alliance President Dr. Peter Daszak showing concerns about losing government funding. Morens alleged that Fauci was “fully aware” and possibly involved in damage control to prevent EcoHealth from losing its federal grant.
Fauci continued to publicly discredit theories of a potential lab leak while privately being concerned about gain-of-function research in Wuhan. The emails between Fauci’s adviser and EcoHealth’s president added color and context to the relationship between the two organizations. The revelations shed light on discrepancies between Fauci and EcoHealth’s public message shaping about gain-of-function research and their private concerns. Senator Paul emphasized the importance of discovering all the information known at the time and the potential implications of the 700 unknown viruses referenced in the emails.
In an April 2020 email, Dr. Daszak claimed that EcoHealth Alliance was in possession of more than 15,000 samples at the lab in Wuhan. Despite the Trump administration and the NIH initially ending EcoHealth’s grant, the decision was reversed, and the organization still receives funding. EcoHealth responded to the leaked emails by stating that any allegations of inappropriate communications with the NIH or cover-up claims were false. Subsequently, Select Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Brad Wenstrup subpoenaed Morens for additional correspondence related to COVID-19 from his personal Gmail account, alleging that he used the private account to evade FOIA laws.
A press release detailed that Dr. David Morens engaged in purposeful evasion of FOIA laws to provide internal information to EcoHealth Alliance President Dr. Peter Daszak. This behavior was described as concerning and likely illegal. Morens has agreed to testify in front of the select subcommittee at a public hearing later in the year. The NIH, EcoHealth, Fauci, Daszak, and Morens did not respond to requests for comment on the situation. The email revelations raise questions about Fauci’s involvement in handling the situation with EcoHealth, the potential consequences of the un-sequenced viruses in the lab, and the lack of transparency regarding communication between the organizations.
The public and private communications revealed in the emails provide insight into the relationships between high-ranking officials and organizations involved in coronavirus research. The concerns raised by Senator Paul highlight the importance of transparency and accountability in handling public health crises. The email exchanges shed light on potential conflicts of interest, cover-up allegations, and the need for further investigation into the origins of COVID-19. The ongoing scrutiny of Fauci, EcoHealth, and the NIH underscores the complexities of international research collaborations and the challenges of navigating political and scientific interests amidst a global pandemic.
