SUNDAY READ
Welcome to this special edition of Snopes’ newsletter. Today, we’re investigating a persistent rumor claiming Dr. Fauci funded research that allegedly caused the COVID-19 pandemic.
Did Fauci fund Chinese research behind COVID-19?
More than six years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, gaps in our knowledge about its origin are still fueling speculation and conspiracy theories.
One persistent rumor accuses Dr. Anthony Fauci of funding research at a lab in China that supposedly created a genetically modified virus and caused the pandemic.
While the allegations are based on real, NIH-funded research into bat coronaviruses, the narrative draws conclusions that aren’t backed by evidence.
In this exclusive report, we unpack:
The competing theories behind the pandemic’s origin.
The debate over “gain-of-function” research.
The federal grant fueling the conspiracy theory involving Fauci.
The specific viruses at the center of the Wuhan lab’s research.
Keep Snopes Debunking
Thank you for powering our reporting. Contributions from readers like you help us expand our impact. Please consider a special, one-time investment to fund our upcoming in-depth investigations.
