Science Not Speculation Should Inform the Investigation of the Origin of COVID-19

Two hypotheses of the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic exist: a natural zoonosis or a laboratory-related event. An investigation of the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic needs to be conducted to a science-based resolution of these competing hypotheses. Until new evidence is found, an investigation of the pathway for the origin of COVID-19 should proceed with the assumption that a laboratory-acquired infection or research-related accident is at least as likely, if not more likely, than a natural zoonotic transmission.