Because it calls into question the whole value proposition of gain-of-function research. If this was released from a virology lab, it calls into question whethe

Because it calls into question the whole value proposition of gain-of-function research. If this was released from a virology lab, it calls into question whether we should be funding this kind of research at all. Further, the unwillingness of many virologists to even consider non-wild origins brings a lot of ethical questions to the forefront: these folks used their authority and bully pulpit to influence public opinion, and it’s important to determine the implicit and explicit conflicts of interests that are influencing their decision making.