The lab leak theory goes mainstream. How safe are top-security laboratories?

After the World Health Organization’s attempts to find the origin of Covid effectively rule out a lab leak, there’s a backlash. A new US president helps bring the lab leak theory into the mainstream. What are the dangers involved in the work being done in virology laboratories? How effective are their safety measures? And do the benefits of their work outweigh the risks? John visit’s a top biosafety lab to find out.

Archive: CGTN; CBS; The White House; CNN; C-SPAN.

Presenter: John SudworthSeries producer: Simon MaybinEditor: Richard VadonSound design and mix: James BeardCommissioning editor: Dan ClarkeScience advice: Julian Siddle and Victoria GillExtra production: Eva Artesona and Kathy LongResearch support: Zisheng Xu and BBC MonitoringProduction coordinators: Siobhan Reed, Helena Warwick-Cross, Sophie Hill, and Debbie RichfordTheme and original music: Pete Cunningham, with trumpet by Joss MurrayRadio 4 Editor of Editorial Standards: Roger MahonyHead of BBC News - Long Form Audio: Emma Rippon