2 p.m. ET Thursday, July 20
We may never know whether COVID-19 originated with a leak from the Wuhan Institute of Virology or was the result of a natural spillover event from an unknown animal. What is known is that ongoing scientific research on high-risk pathogens in laboratories around the world could be vulnerable to a leak, whether accidental or deliberate.
As investigative reporter Alison Young writes in “Pandora’s Gamble: Lab Leaks, Pandemics, and a World at Risk,” the truth is “lab accidents happen with shocking frequency, even in the world’s best-run labs.” That means journalists have a crucial role in holding the scientific community accountable.
In this webinar, Young will talk about her book and provide context about what is known about what happened at the Wuhan Institute of Virology and about lab leaks more broadly. She will provide resources and tips for staying on top of this very timely issue, which is being debated by law and policy makers, scientists and the public.
Alison Young. Photo by Lisa V. Damico
Bara VaidaAlison Young is an investigative reporter specializing in health, environmental and consumer issues. Her work has included revealing safety lapses at biological research labs, food manufacturers and nursing homes. She is a professor and program director for the University of Missouri School of Journalism’s Washington, D.C. program and has reported for USA TODAY, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Knight Ridder’s Washington Bureau, the Detroit Free Press, The Arizona Republic and the Dallas Times Herald. Her reporting honors include three Gerald Loeb Awards, three Scripps Howard Awards and a DuPont-Columbia Award.