Peter H. Duesberg, a molecular biologist celebrated for his early contributions to cancer research but later known for his controversial denial of HIV as the cause of AIDS, has died at age 89. His death on January 13th in Lafayette, California, was due to kidney failure, according to his wife, Sigrid Duesberg.
Pioneering Work on Cancer
Duesberg’s early career was marked by significant breakthroughs. In the late 1960s, while the mechanisms of cancer were poorly understood, he investigated the Rous sarcoma virus in chickens. His 1970 research identified the Src gene within the virus as the trigger for malignant tumors.
This discovery was pivotal: it marked the first identification of an oncogene – a gene capable of causing cancer. His work at the University of California, Berkeley, laid the groundwork for later research demonstrating that similar genes, called proto-oncogenes, exist in normal cells across many species, including humans. The understanding that these proto-oncogenes can mutate into cancer-causing versions has become foundational to modern cancer treatments.
Recognition and Later Controversy
Duesberg received high scientific acclaim early in his career, including the Scientist of the Year award in 1971 and election to the National Academy of Sciences in 1986. Yet, he shifted his focus away from oncogene research. Instead, he became a vocal proponent of the theory that cancer originates from chromosomal damage rather than viral infection.
However, Duesberg is most widely remembered for his decades-long rejection of the scientific consensus that HIV causes AIDS. Despite overwhelming evidence, he maintained that AIDS was caused by factors like recreational drug use and malnutrition, not HIV infection. His stance drew sharp criticism from the scientific community, who accused him of spreading dangerous misinformation that undermined public health efforts.
Legacy of Debate
Duesberg continued his research at Berkeley and later at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, where he held an appointment starting in 1997. His theories remained outside the mainstream, but his persistence ensured that the debate over HIV/AIDS causation continued.
The scientific community largely dismisses his views as pseudoscience, and the consensus remains firm: HIV is the primary cause of AIDS. Duesberg’s death leaves behind a legacy of scientific achievement intertwined with enduring controversy.
