First isolate's 25th anniversary
(2008, Getty)
The Road to the Discovery of HIV
Impact/Conclusion
Montagnier and Gallo’s work demonstrate that words do matter. The careful construction of written and oral communications can influence public and professional opinions. Gallo’s communications reflected unwavering certainty, swaying opinion. However, the lack of transparency in Gallo’s communications (regarding crediting the French team’s research) highlights dishonesty and a breach of scientific integrity.
“It is impressive to see how much can be learned in 35 years of research and how we take a challenge that’s put up by nature and apply science to it. Of course it also reminds us that probably the greatest failure of modern molecular biology is that we haven’t been able to control HIV and that we’re still in the midst of an epidemic."
~David Baltimore (Nobel Laureate)
Perhaps if these scientists had more openly communicated, putting their competitive mindsets aside, their collaboration may have resulted in faster isolation of HIV and development of diagnostic testing. In fact, 35,253 people died of AIDS during the years when they were feuding, and there is still no cure for AIDS. Montagnier’s team could have learned from Gallo’s expertise with retroviruses, and Gallo’s team could have been more open to theories other than HTLV. Ultimately, lives may have been saved and treatment could have arrived sooner.
2019, UN AIDS
"This was the story of AIDS. There were new discoveries, lots of myths that we could easily dispel, but then very serious medical and scientific questions that had to be dealt with."
~Margaret Heckler (Former Secretary of Health and Human Services)
2020, Bloomberg Markets and Finance
2020, Tunisie Focus
Montagnier and Gallo presenting COVID-19 theories
However, this is not the only time research was delayed due to deliberate miscommunication. In 1953, the discovery of DNA’s structure was credited to only one group of scientists, although another played a significant role. Research was impeded yet again with HIV’s discovery. Today, as related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the emphasis on ethical and honest dissemination of medical research has resurfaced. Programs such as Epic, a medical record program, also help ensure effective communication among scientists. Communication of information based on sound science and truthful collaboration among scientists are undoubtedly vital to trust in science and the health of society.
"We’re a bunch of people here who are starting to be quite old, including myself, and we have to make sure the next generation in particular will have the history in mind for HIV and other diseases. The next generation should not make the same mistakes."
~ Françoise Barré-Sinoussi (Researcher on Montagnier's Team)
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