Re:
Daszak CBP Package, pp.12-14 · daszak_cbp:email:00001
Page text: p.12, p.13, p.14 · original PDF
- Date
- 2021-02-02 22:18
- Type
- email · email
Subject Event 3
P. DASZAK C
10-4, thanks. We'll send it out in the morning.
Charlie
Sent from my iPhone
On Feb 2, 2021, at 10:11 PM,
cbp.dhs.gov> wrote:
Good evening
,
***FYSA - NTC has rescinded previous inspection request; however, subject may be of interest to
the FBI ***
Peter DASZAK (DOB:
is scheduled to travel from DOH to JFK on
02/05/2021, aboard QR #701 ETA 1425 EST- Event
has been created for additional
information.
*** Reference event for notable publications and news articles.***
Background
Peter DASZAK (DOB:
is the President of EcoHealth
Alliance; a US science-based non-profit that conducts research and outreach on the causes of
emerging pandemic diseases, and their links to environmental change and conservation (Link).
DASZAK's scientific research is focused on understanding the drivers of emerging diseases to
include: evidence that emerging disease, chytridiomycosis, causes global amphibian declines; the
first ever map of emerging disease 'hotspots'; and the identification of bats as a reservoir for
SARS. DASZAK's goals are to understand what drives disease emergence develop innovative ways to
stop emerging diseases in wildlife, livestock and people; and promote conservation of wildlife.
DASZAK, is part of the World Health Organization (WHO) team that is investigating the origins of
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 (Link). DASZAK is also affiliated with Zhengli SHI
(Bat Woman) - the lead Virologist and Researcher at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV),
Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Link. SHI's areas of study include: Bats, Viral Ecology, Viral
Entry, Virus Discovery, Zoonotic Diseases, Virology, Ecology of Pathogens (Link). EcoHealth
Alliance and DASZAK have been working with Shi Zhengli for more than 15 years.
DASZAK is listed as the Principal Investigator (PI) on National Institute of Health (NIH)
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) grants: 1U01AI151797-01 -
Understanding Risk of Zoonotic Viruses Emergence in EID Hotspots of Southeast Asia, and
#2R01AI110964-06: Understanding the Risk of Bat Coronavirus Emergence, dated 6/01/201406/30/2024. SHI listed grant R01AI110964 on her resume (Link), although SHI is not listed as a
PI. A search of the grant revealed 19 publications (Link), many of which were written by SHI.
Additional information
*
DASZAK was asked publicly by NIH to retrieve the original type-specimen used by WIV for
genetic analysis, and return it to the United States. He was also asked to explain several
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aspects of their collaboration, including related to cell phone data. Link
*
DASZAK and EcoHealth has been awarded a number of contracts and grants from the U.S.
federal government. These include contracts with the DHS Chemical and Biological Threat Division.
Many items that EcoHealth studies are likely to be subject to serious non-disclosure agreements
with the U.S. government and/or be export controlled.
*
Much of the funding DASZAK receives is put towards gain of function research. This
research involves experimentation that aims or is expected to increase the transmissibility
and/or virulence of pathogens. The ultimate objective of such research is to better inform public
health and preparedness efforts and/or development of medical countermeasures. Link
*
In 2013, DASZAK was a coauthor of publication "Isolation and characterization of a bat
SARS-like coronavirus that uses the ACE2 receptor" with Zhengli SHI and Ralph BARIC. This paper
is of significance due to the first reporting of a SL-CoV-WIV1 (SARS-like coronavirus WIV1)
binding to human cells and infecting them. Link
*
A follow up article published in Nature magazine on 12/12/2015 titled "Engineered bat
virus stirs debate over risky research, Lab-made coronavirus related to SARS can infect human
cells" debates "whether engineering lab variants of viruses with possible pandemic potential is
worth the risks." Link
Respectfully,
National Targeting Security Specialist
National Targeting Center (NTC)
Tactical Targeting
WARNING: This document is LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE and is designated for OFFICIAL USE ONLY. It
contains information that may be exempt from public release under the Freedom of Information Act
(5USC552). This document is to be controlled, handled, transmitted, distributed, and disposed of
in accordance with DHS policy relating to FOUO information, and is not to be released to the
public or personnel who do not have a valid "need-to-know" without prior approval from OFO
National Targeting Center - Passenger at 571-468-1000.
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