The key to data access: WHO
In a statement on advancing the second phase of research, the WHO insisted that the search was not “blame on responsibility” or political scoring.
The United Nations agency said: “The next series of studies will include further examination of the original data of the earliest cases and the serum of potential early cases in 2019.”
“Access to data is essential to developing our understanding of science.”
The WHO said it is working with several countries that have reported the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in samples of biological specimens stored in 2019.
For example, it said that in Italy, it facilitated independent evaluation by international laboratories, which included blind retesting of pre-pandemic blood samples.
“Sharing the original data and allowing the samples to be retested in laboratories outside of Italy reflects the best state of scientific solidarity and is no different from our encouragement of support from all countries, including China, so that we can quickly advance the origin research and Effective,” the WHO said.
