Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Pioneering Biologist Peter Duesberg Dies at 89

1/31/2026

43 3

Summary

Story summary

Peter H. Duesberg, a molecular biologist at the University of California, Berkeley, died January 13 in Lafayette, California, at age 89 due to kidney failure.
He identified the first known cancer-causing gene, Src, in 1970.
His work laid the foundation for modern cancer treatments.
He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1986.
He later claimed that HIV does not cause AIDS.

1 of 1

Story summary

Peter H. Duesberg, a molecular biologist at the University of California, Berkeley, died January 13 in Lafayette, California, at age 89 due to kidney failure.
He identified the first known cancer-causing gene, Src, in 1970.
His work laid the foundation for modern cancer treatments.
He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1986.
He later claimed that HIV does not cause AIDS.