Local man outraged at manufacture of coronavirus in Wuhan lab

Mr Harold Dunlop of Canowindra has raised concerns that the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 was manufactured in a Chinese laboratory in Wuhan, and has criticised Australian authorities for allowing the virus to enter the country.

He is angered at this situation because it has stymied his own attempts to release a deadly virus. The retired teacher was attempting to create a novel coronavirus in a lab in his Canowindra backyard, but has said that his work has now been overshadowed by the global outbreak.

“I was in the final stages of development of an Australian made coronavirus when I heard that the Chinese version had been created and was spreading around the world. It’s about economies of scale. With the huge numbers we’ve seen around the world, what chance do I have to compete?”

For a number of years the local man has been developing lethal human pathogens in his Canowindra workshop. “When I retired I converted the shed into a viral pathogen lab. Initially it was just a hobby but then it became more serious and now it has become a bit of a second career for me. I spend hours just tinkering away at capsomers and trying to increase levels of virulence.”

While he still enjoys his time spent doing this, the lack of support he receives is a source of frustration.

“Why are we importing a global pandemic from China when we should be manufacturing our own global pandemic here? We could be on the world stage. Imagine the national pride if a disease from Canowindra was being spread around the world. We have a history of innovation in this country but now we are copying this virus from overseas. Not only are we copying it, we are replicating it at an exponential rate.”

When asked about his thoughts on the development of a vaccine he was resigned.

“It’s just another factor making it harder for those of us trying to create viruses in Australia. I fear for the next generation. Just the other day I was talking to one of the young blokes whose been trying to develop a new flu strain, but then they keep coming out with a new flu vaccine and, I mean, what hope’s he got.”