Topic: Shi Zhengli

In 2014, despite a federal moratorium on gain-of-function research, the NIAID reportedly authorized Ralph Baric to continue his work. Martin cites a 2016 publication where Baric thanked Zhengli Shi of the Wuhan Institute of Virology for access to spike proteins. This collaboration is presented as evidence of a coordinated effort to create lethal pathogens for human emergence.

The DRASTIC research team uncovered a 2018 proposal by Peter Daszak’s EcoHealth Alliance to insert human-specific furin cleavage sites into bat coronaviruses. This gain-of-function research involved the Wuhan Institute of Virology and researchers from the University of North Carolina. The proposal sought $14 million from DARPA to create chimeric viruses that could more easily enter human cells, providing a potential blueprint for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Richard Fleming traces the history of gain-of-function research involving Ralph Baric and Shi Zhengli. He discusses his own 1994 research into how viruses and bacteria cause inflammatory diseases like heart disease and cancer. Fleming claims that the researchers were "playing God" with viral insertions without fully understanding the consequences.

Dr. Michael McDowell discusses the collaboration between the University of North Carolina, Fort Detrick, and the Wuhan Institute of Virology. He alleges that the Australian Animal Health Lab also worked on coalescing SARS with HIV. McDowell points to findings by Indian scientists who identified HIV-like genomic sequences in the SARS-CoV-2 virus, suggesting it was engineered for human infection.

Dr. Fleming explains that gain-of-function research continued even during federal moratoriums. He names Peter Daszak of EcoHealth Alliance, Ralph Baric of the University of North Carolina, and Shi Zhengli of the Wuhan Institute of Virology as key figures. Fleming also mentions his own recruitment attempts by Fort Detrick to conduct viral research funded by the NIAID.

A segment from Tucker Carlson Tonight details thousands of emails obtained via FOIA requests showing Anthony Fauci's early concerns about the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Carlson presents evidence suggesting Fauci lied under oath regarding the funding of gain-of-function research involving Ralph Baric and Shi Zhengli. The report highlights a "personal thank you" from Peter Daszak to Fauci and questions whether the two are under criminal investigation for their roles in the pandemic's origins.