>>Flatci+(OP)
A lot of people have tried to ascribe the reluctance of many scientists to admit the possibility of a lab leak to some conspiracy from the top or even political leanings. But it seems more likely to me that many scientists in the field, especially those that work specifically with gain of function, are going to be reluctant to blame a lab leak because they know that if it is found that covid was from a lab, then their funding is at risk. Not to mention those that may not have funding at risk but believe that gain of function research is important regardless of the risk.