The forgotten giants behind Louis Pasteur: contributions by the veterinarians Toussaint and Galtier
Williams, E.; Pasteur, L.; Toussaint, H.; Galtier, P.
Veterinary Heritage Bulletin of the American Veterinary History Society 33(2): 33-39
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 1096-5904 PMID: 21466009 Document Number: 15411
One might think that this is a nineteenth century story with little relevance to the scientific community today. However, in 1981, the AIDS epidemic triggered a search for the virus on a scale many times greater than anything contemplated by Pasteur, Toussaint or Galtier. A battle between the American virologist Robert Gallo and scientists from, ironically, the Pasteur Institute ensued for at least a decade, with claims that Gallo had actually misappropriated the virus from the Pasteur Institute and not actually discovered it, but nonetheless was given the patent on the HIV test, worth millions. Subsequent research proved that Gallo actually had the French virus, though no one could prove this was intentional as opposed to a lab contaminant. The French were eventually given their share of the royalties as well as the Nobel Prize, which was not shared by Gallo.
Document emailed within 1 workday
