By criterion , signatories Lancet letter behaving poor scientists : They assuring public facts could know sure true.It later turned Lancet letter organized drafted Peter Daszak , president EcoHealth Alliance New York.Daszak ’ organization funded coronavirus research Wuhan Institute Virology.If SARS2 virus indeed escaped research funded , Daszak would potentially culpable.This acute conflict interest declared Lancet ’ readers.To contrary , letter concluded , “ We declare competing interests. ” Virologists like Daszak much stake assigning blame pandemic.For 20 years , mostly beneath public ’ attention , playing dangerous game.In laboratories routinely created viruses dangerous exist nature.They argued could safely , getting ahead nature could predict prevent natural “ spillovers , ” cross-over viruses animal host people .