This is unfortunate news.
For context, Birger Sørensen is one of two global experts in genetically engineered Corona viruses and the other is Shi Zhengli, based out of Wuhan.
For the last 20 years, the two have been in competition to humanize coronaviruses and test how contagious they are in mice and primates.
Unfortunate because it's professional jealousy, likely to hold back the field? Or unfortunate because it's likely true?
By the way, I love your HN name.
Glad you like the name!
Forgive my naivety, but how is that possibly a good thing?
This is done by collecting viral specimens from all over the world and looking at ways in which they could combine or mutate, and how the resulting virus behaves. You then infect and animal with the most dangerous (or probable) new virus, and test new vaccines for treating it. If done correctly, you have a catalogue of vaccines for potential threats before they occur in nature.