Peter H Duesberg, the German-born American molecular biologist whose career spanned groundbreaking cancer discoveries and contentious AIDS denialism, passed away on January 13 at his home in Lafayette, California. He was 89 years old. His death resulted from kidney failure after years of declining health. Duesberg is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren.
A Distinguished Yet Polarising Scientific Journey
Peter Heinz Hermann Duesberg was born on December 2, 1936, in Germany. He later immigrated to the United States, where he established a prominent academic career at the University of California, Berkeley, ultimately serving as a professor of molecular and cell biology.
Early Achievements and Recognition
In the 1960s and 1970s, Duesberg rose to prominence as a respected virologist, earning global acclaim for his research on retroviruses. His significant contributions included helping identify oncogenes—genes capable of inducing cancer—and playing a pivotal role in mapping the genetic structure of retroviruses. This early work was widely cited and respected within the scientific community, leading to his election to the prestigious US National Academy of Sciences in 1986.
The HIV-AIDS Controversy That Defined His Later Years
In the late 1980s, Duesberg's career took a controversial turn when he began publicly questioning the established scientific consensus that HIV causes AIDS. He argued that HIV was a harmless passenger virus and claimed that AIDS resulted from factors such as drug use, malnutrition, or the side effects of antiretroviral medications.
Scientific Rejection and Lasting Impact
These assertions were firmly rejected by the global medical and scientific community, which pointed to overwhelming epidemiological, clinical, and molecular evidence establishing HIV as the causative agent of AIDS. Duesberg's views drew sharp criticism from scientists and public health experts, who warned that such claims could undermine HIV prevention and treatment efforts worldwide. Despite widespread condemnation, he remained steadfast in his stance for decades, becoming one of the most prominent figures associated with AIDS denialism.
While his early research continues to be acknowledged for its scientific merit, his later controversial claims remain a cautionary chapter in modern medical history, illustrating the complex interplay between scientific inquiry, public health, and dissent.
