US scientist and family appear on a ‘kill list’ for working with China

Disease ecologist Peter Daszak describes the ‘witch hunt’ he and his organisation have endured over Covid lab leak allegations

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Peter Daszak, president of scientific research organisation EcoHealth Alliance, says he and the non-profit have endured four years of “relentless” and “damaging” attacks. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

Holly ChikandVictoria Bela

Published: 8:00pm, 29 Sep 2024Updated: 11:05am, 2 Oct 2024

A leading US disease ecologist says he has faced death threats and harassment because of his work with Chinese scientists on virus research before the Covid-19 pandemic – an experience he describes as a “medieval” witch hunt.

Peter Daszak, president of scientific research organisation EcoHealth Alliance (EHA), said he and the non-profit had endured four years of “relentless” and “damaging” attacks, online and in the press, including actions directed at him and his family.

He said an envelope containing white powder had been sent to his home address in the United States, while the names of his children and wife had appeared on a “kill list” on 4chan, an anonymous online forum.

“That is not appropriate or normal for a scientist to be put through. And you get zero sympathy for this,” Daszak told the Post in an interview.

“You talk to the FBI to try and help. They are the same guys investigating you and do not believe that you did not do something wrong. It is awful.”

“No one has come and punched me in the face yet, or shot me. But I am certainly expecting that – which is weird as a scientist,” he said.