Chapter
Potential Leak from Wuhan Institute of Virology Could Have Global Repercussions
46:24 - 52:03 (05:38)
If the coronavirus outbreak was a result of a leak from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, China could potentially face global animus and declining respect, due to the massive human and economic damages suffered by every country. In addition, the Chinese government's natural disinclination to accept fallibility could result in lack of transparency in the investigation.
Clips
The Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) has a precedent of gain of function research on viruses that pose little threat to humans, which raises concerns about their research on the highly contagious coronavirus.
46:24 - 49:27 (03:03)
Summary
The Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) has a precedent of gain of function research on viruses that pose little threat to humans, which raises concerns about their research on the highly contagious coronavirus. US diplomats and scientists had expressed alarm about the institute's research even before the COVID-19 pandemic.
ChapterPotential Leak from Wuhan Institute of Virology Could Have Global Repercussions
Episode#193 – Rob Reid: The Existential Threat of Engineered Viruses and Lab Leaks
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In the hypothetical case of a leak from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, there would be a significant backlash towards China and a decline in global respect for the government, which would be exacerbated by any failure to accept responsibility for the incident due to the disinclination of any authoritarian government to admit to any fault.
49:29 - 52:03 (02:33)
Summary
In the hypothetical case of a leak from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, there would be a significant backlash towards China and a decline in global respect for the government, which would be exacerbated by any failure to accept responsibility for the incident due to the disinclination of any authoritarian government to admit to any fault. However, the magnitude of consequences would likely not be as significant as the Chernobyl disaster.