Nobel Laureates Denounce Trump Officials For Revoking Coronavirus Research Grant

A many as 77 US bel laureates in science have written an open letter to Trump ministration stating that y are 'gravely concerned' with abrupt cancellation of a federal grant to EcoHealth Alliance, which was researching coronaviruses in China.

laureates said that move, anunced on April 24, "sets a dangerous precedent by interfering in conduct of science and jeopardizes public trust in process of awarding federal funds for research".

RE | Donald Trump's press secretary accidentally reveals bank details of US President

EcoHealth Alliance is a n-profit organisation that specializes in hunting viruses worldwide. EcoHealth scientists have been trapping bats in China in order to check ir blood and saliva for vel coronaviruses that could spark next pandemic in humans. Last year National Institutes of Health renewed funding for that project granting EcoHealth Alliance $4 million to cover next five years of research.

RE | Trump asks goverrs to reopen houses of worship, calls it 'essential' amid pandemic

However, after COVID-19 pandemic took United States by storm, several state officials began to raise suspicions that a local Chinese lab that EcoHealth Alliance h partnered with Wuhan Institute of Virology h accidentally released virus causing COVID-19. Institute is located in Chinese city that reported first case of COVID-19 infection. However many virologists familiar with lab accidents disagreed with accident ory behind coronavirus outbreak.

RE | Biden apologizes for black Trump backers comments

A few days later, President Trump assured action on issue by immediately stopping grant. An email was sent to EcoHealth informing that grant was terminated. 

In ir letter sent on Friday, 77 bel laureates dismiss action as "preposterous." bel laureates from various fields te that EcoHealth's grant application h received 'a very high priority score' during peer review. Scientists ded that it is precisely time when y need to support this kind of research in order to control virus.

letter dressed to director of National Institutes of Health, Francis Collins and secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar concluded with a call for a "thorough review of actions that led to decision to terminate grant and appropriate steps to rectify injustices that may have been committed in revoking it."

RE | COVID: Jammu doctor with child's picture in T-shirt says 'have t been home for 2 months'