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Molecular Biologist Peter Duesberg Dies at 89

1/28/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Peter H. Duesberg, the molecular biologist, died on January 13 in Lafayette, California, at age 89 from kidney failure.
He gained notoriety for claiming that HIV does not cause AIDS.
In the late 1960s, Duesberg identified the first known cancer-causing gene, Src, in a virus linked to tumors in chickens.
His work laid the groundwork for modern cancer treatments.
He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1986.

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Story summary

Peter H. Duesberg, the molecular biologist, died on January 13 in Lafayette, California, at age 89 from kidney failure.
He gained notoriety for claiming that HIV does not cause AIDS.
In the late 1960s, Duesberg identified the first known cancer-causing gene, Src, in a virus linked to tumors in chickens.
His work laid the groundwork for modern cancer treatments.
He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1986.