I find this tweet really upsetting. I grew up in South Africa- moved there in 1976. Around that time an Australian died of Marburg in Johannesburg as a result of zoonotic infection in Zimbabwe. There was fear of this disease when I was growing up. 1/
I find this tweet really upsetting. I grew up in South Africa- moved there in 1976. Around that time an Australian died of Marburg in Johannesburg as a result of zoonotic infection in Zimbabwe. There was fear of this disease when I was growing up. 1/
Yes, in 1967 monkeys with the virus were shipped via London to Germany for vaccine testing, and infected some researchers in Frankfurt & Marburg who were not properly protected. This had nothing to do with SARS-CoV-2 lab leak theories which relate to gain-of-function research. 2/
Putting Marburg forward as an example of "lab leak" in the current context of intense debate over the origins of #covid19 is highly irresponsible. Yes, animal research carries risks.. all animal research does.. and one can debate its ethics. Is it ok to work with mice? 3/
I think its disgraceful for you to enter into this discussion from such a position of ignorance and center yourself. Last time you did this with Justin (trying to bring up a Jim Watson tweet from years ago) I asked you to help defend a female scientist from being attacked--you simply disappeared. I am always available to have a zoom call if you want to learn what this is about instead of just doing an egoistic drive by.
@Bryce_Nickels Yes, this issue is personal to me. I'm sorry if that doesn't suit your sensibilities. Partially as a result of the Marburg *zoonotic* infection in 1975, when HIV spread in the 1980s the US government imposed extremely stringent travel restrictions on South Africa.
@lpachter You gave ill-informed opinions of his motives for the tweet and you made it all about you. That is my issue with what you did.