Project DEFUSE
From KB42
Project DEFUSE
| Project Name : | Project DEFUSE |
|---|---|
| Related Links : | Black Projects Main Page |
| Case File: | Covid Main Page |
Project DEFUSE
[edit | edit source]In September 2021, a research advocacy group called DRASTIC published a leaked document: a 2018 DARPA grant proposal co-authored by Peter Daszak (EcoHealth Alliance), Ralph Baric (University of North Carolina), Shi Zhengli (WIV), and others. The proposal, titled Project DEFUSE, sought funding to:
- Sample bat coronaviruses from sites across China
- Modify bat coronaviruses to study human cell entry — specifically including inserting furin cleavage sites similar to the one found in SARS-CoV-2
- Create bat-targeted vaccines for wild bat populations
DARPA rejected the proposal in 2018, noting it involved gain-of-function research. The proposal was not made public by any government agency — it was leaked. Whether the research proposed in DEFUSE was subsequently conducted under other funding has not been officially confirmed or denied.
