The most obvious reason would be this: preventing a repeat occurrence.
We can't learn from our mistakes if we are prevented from finding out what the mistake was...
If the virus did get released from a supposedly secure research facility, this has huge implications for research policy and biosecurity standards worldwide. If the virus did originate from gain-of-function research, this again has implications upon whether we permit it or ban it worldwide. It was already banned in the US and other Western nations on safety grounds; maybe it's not safe anywhere in the world given that it could result in a global pandemic.
But without concrete evidence and open discussion, it won't be possible to make policy based upon rational discussion and decision-making.
Given the global impact of the pandemic, it would behoove us to give such investigation a high priority, given its profound importance to our long-term health and prosperity.
We can't learn from our mistakes if we are prevented from finding out what the mistake was...
If the virus did get released from a supposedly secure research facility, this has huge implications for research policy and biosecurity standards worldwide. If the virus did originate from gain-of-function research, this again has implications upon whether we permit it or ban it worldwide. It was already banned in the US and other Western nations on safety grounds; maybe it's not safe anywhere in the world given that it could result in a global pandemic.
But without concrete evidence and open discussion, it won't be possible to make policy based upon rational discussion and decision-making.
Given the global impact of the pandemic, it would behoove us to give such investigation a high priority, given its profound importance to our long-term health and prosperity.