Chat message

Slack / Private Message Drop, p.1091 [SLACK_001305] · slack_pm:msg:11364

Date: 2022-02-16 13:09
Type: chat message · slack
recipient: Kristian G. Andersen, Robert F. Garry, Andrew Rambaut
speaker: Edward C. Holmes
Topics: Natural origin / zoonotic spillover Lab-leak / accidental release hypothesis Proximal Origin paper

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"Professor Holmes was part of an international team that carefully and independently considered the origins of COVID-19 and found no scientific evidence that it was due to laboratory escape. This resulted in the publication of a peer-reviewed scientific paper,_The Proximal Origins of SARS-CoV-2_, which was submitted on 17 February 2020. Dr Collins and Dr Fauci played no role in writing this paper.A number of eminent scientists, including Professor Holmes, initially had concerns that the virus may have alaboratory origin, so they organised a teleconference with a group of experts. Scientific discussion during the teleconference concluded that many of these concerns were unfounded. As the discussions took place, the first data from a coronavirus in pangolins became available, which clearly showed that some of the unusual features found inSARS-CoV-2 were also found in nature. The conclusion that SARS-CoV-2 likely has a natural origin was based entirely on available scientific evidence. Professor Holmes strongly defends the integrity and independence of his research, which is driven by the pursuit ofscientific truth and no other purpose.*If asked, how will Professor Holmes be responding to the letter?*He will not be responding to the letter."

Extracted statements

Rule-extracted, not adjudicated. The grade says what may be done with each one; read the document above before relying on any of them.

Statement	Grade	Attribution	Stance
As the discussions took place, the first data from a coronavirus in pangolins became available, which clearly showed that some of the unusual features found inSARS-CoV-2 were also found in nature.	quoted / not their view	quoted_external inside quotation marks	asserts
The conclusion that SARS-CoV-2 likely has a natural origin was based entirely on available scientific evidence.	quoted / not their view	quoted_external inside quotation marks	asserts

Statement

Grade

Attribution

Stance

As the discussions took place, the first data from a coronavirus in pangolins became available, which clearly showed that some of the unusual features found inSARS-CoV-2 were also found in nature.

quoted / not their view

quoted_external inside quotation marks

asserts

The conclusion that SARS-CoV-2 likely has a natural origin was based entirely on available scientific evidence.

quoted / not their view

quoted_external inside quotation marks

asserts

In context

A single line often inverts meaning once you see what it answers, so neighbouring messages are always shown.

2022-02-16 12:11 Edward C. Holmes open

Sorry - I may be a couple of hours as we have tradies here.
2022-02-16 12:58 Kristian G. Andersen open

Just FYI - draft of letter that'll go back to the GOP'ers tomorrow. [shared file(s): 2.17.22 Scripps Letter_Dr. Kristian Andersen_kga.DOCX]
2022-02-16 12:58 Kristian G. Andersen open

... and obviously - please keep this confidential.
2022-02-16 13:09 Edward C. Holmes open

I'll read when I get a chance. My Uni were just putting out a press statement:
2022-02-16 13:09 Edward C. Holmes

"Professor Holmes was part of an international team that carefully and independently considered the origins of COVID-19 and found no scientific evidence that it was due to laboratory escape. This resulted in the publication of a peer-reviewed scientific paper,_The Proximal Origins of SARS-CoV-2_, which was submitted on 17 February 2020. Dr Collins and Dr Fauci played no role in writing this paper.A number of eminent scientists, including Professor Holmes, initially had concerns that the virus may have alaboratory origin, so they organised a teleconference with a group of experts. Scientific discussion during the teleconference concluded that many of these concerns were unfounded. As the discussions took place, the first data from a coronavirus in pangolins became available, which clearly showed that some of the unusual features found inSARS-CoV-2 were also found in nature. The conclusion that SARS-CoV-2 likely has a natural origin was based entirely on available scientific evidence. Professor Holmes strongly defends the integrity and independence of his research, which is driven by the pursuit ofscientific truth and no other purpose.*If asked, how will Professor Holmes be responding to the letter?*He will not be responding to the letter."
2022-02-16 13:26 Kristian G. Andersen open

Is this online?
2022-02-16 13:27 Kristian G. Andersen open

This bit reads quite funny to me: "A number of eminent scientists, including Professor Holmes, initially had concerns that the virus may have a laboratory origin, so they organised a teleconference with a group of experts. Scientific discussion during the teleconference concluded that many of these concerns were unfounded. As the discussions took place, the first data from a coronavirus in pangolins became available"It makes it sound as if all of this happened on the conference call - which, of course, isn't true.
2022-02-16 13:29 Edward C. Holmes open

Just a draft. Can be changed.
2022-02-16 13:31 Edward C. Holmes open

"A number of eminent scientists, including Professor Holmes, initially had concerns that the virus may have a laboratory origin, so they organised a teleconference with a group of experts. Scientific discussion during the teleconference concluded that many of these concerns were unfounded. Professor Holmes and his peers did further analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 genome data, which pointed to a natural origin, and during this time the first data from acoronavirus in pangolins became available, which clearly showed that some of the unusual features found inSARS-CoV-2 were also found in nature. The conclusion that SARS-CoV-2 likely has a natural origin was based entirely on available scientific evidence."

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